EXTRACTS: Illustrators issue 34 by Book Palace Books * 96 PAGES IN FULL EDITION

95 or do have a secondary job? I live frommy paintings. That’s what I wanted, and I wasn’t up to accepting painting as a secondary dish, so I never gave myself any other options. The moment I was already placed professionally, I decided to share what I knew, taking into mind that it should hardly affect my professional career. So, I also teach, and I do it at a very limited scale. [Painting] is a profession where you spend most of the time by yourself, so being able to share your life and experiences with other like-minded people is a very satisfactory and enriching experience. Plus, I also love teaching. So I teach to a small group of people, very carefully chosen. They are young painters who want to dedicate themselves to painting with the same desire and enthusiasm as I. What advice would you give to a person who wants to follow an art career? To seek the knowledge that will give you confidence in yourself and in your ability. It’s what keeps you on your feet when the wind blows. What else do you like besides painting? Any hobbies, sports or other activities you enjoy doing? I love cooking, and I am always looking for some spare time to write—I do it every day. Sport makes me feel great, frees my mind and I feel physically stronger. To me, the perfect combination is doing sports first thing in the day and then whatever comes next. If you could start over, what would you change? I’d be doing the same, and the only thing I would change is the frenetic rhythm I’ve had with my paintings these past years. Fortunately, I’m in a position to change it now, and enjoy the life that exists outside of my studio. I sometimes forget to stop. Arantzazu Martínez is on Facebook or visit her webpage: www.arantzazumartinez.com FACING PAGE LEFT: The Fallen Angel , oil on linen, 114 cm x 73 cm (45” x 29”), 2007. This painting was a finalist at the International Centre Salon in 2007, where Martínez won the first prize in the ‘Figurative’ category with another of her paintings: ‘The Death of Love’. FACING PAGE RIGHT: The Witches’ House , oil on linen, 180 cm x 90 cm (71” x 35”), 2008. ABOVE: Martínez in her studio with a model. Notice the unfinished painting in the background where she has has only partly painted the foreground figures and hasn’t yet done the background.