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5 Minutes With … Arnold Martinez, Artist

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2007

For more than 20 years, Arnold Martinez has been painting scenes of Tampa landmarks especially his beloved Ybor City.

Cigar rollers, street lamps, trolley cars, the University of Tampa minarets and store fronts are among his best-known works. He also is highly sought-after for his portrait work. He's painted the captains of the Tampa cigar industry, kings and queens of Gasparilla and some nationally cigar-loving celebrities such as Bill Cosby and George Burns.

Using extracts of Cuban coffee and cigar tobacco to get deep brown tones, he is perhaps the only artist in world so immersed in his work. "I was born in Ybor and lived here most of my life," he says. "Most of my work is about Ybor, and I use the coffee and tobacco that are a part of Ybor's history."

At age 75, he can be found Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Arnold Martinez Gallery located in a restored cigar worker house (circa 1907) on 1909 North 19th Street in Ybor City. He sells originals and reprints of his work. Call 813-248-9572 for information.

When did you start painting?

I started fiddling around a little bit with it in the early 1970s. I started mixing in the tobacco and coffee and something took over me and it became a passion. But I was still working for Tampa Electric. I put in 30 years there before I retired in 1990. I worked on the ground crew. I drove trucks. I installed meters. But I was selling paintings as early as the 1970s. I have done so many that I lost count.

What is your favorite painting?

There are several that I like but my favorite is the painting of Seventh Avenue on a Saturday or a Sunday in 1937. Families, dressed up for an outing, are strolling down the sidewalks. On one corner, people are gathered around Miranda, a street vendor who made the best meat-filled deviled crabs. The Ritz Theater is open for business and a streetcar is rumbling down the street. No matter what angle you look at it, the trolley tracks will line up in front of you. I painted myself into the picture twice. I am the boy on a bicycle is holding on to rear of the trolley, hitching a ride. I also am walking on the sidewalk with my brother and my parents who were cigar rollers."

What are you working on now?

I am painting the interior of Scared Heart Catholic Church. I am not a member and this is not a commission. I have been in there several times and I just felt inspired to do this. I think it may be my best work. I am very happy with the three dimensional look and the really fine detail. I am trying to get the stained glass windows just right. I hope to finish it before Christmas.

Is it difficult to paint with coffee and tobacco?

I experimented until I could get an extract that is very highly concentrated like a molasses or syrup. I got it with a special sealer to protect it. There is no odor or decay. I get nice brown shades. For other colors I use acrylics. For a commissioned portrait, I will use a person's favorite brand of coffee or cigar. I also have painted with extracts of tea, beer and wine.

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