THE CAUSE BEHIND THE COLLECTION
EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION
I have chosen to support the East Tennessee Foundation’s Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund, which aids the victims recently hit by Hurricane Helene. Unfortunately, a category four hurricane devastated the eastern United States in September 2024. Living in Eastern Tennessee, I saw firsthand the destruction that it caused. I saw houses, hospitals, and roads that I have known my entire life washed away, and although significant repairs have been made since, many lives have yet to return to normal. The Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund exclusively supports nonprofits and other agencies aiding East Tennessee’s recovery, assisting a wide range of locations. Hurricane Helene is considered the deadliest storm to have hit the U.S since Hurricane Katrina, which is why I am compelled to support this charity. Donating to this fund is my way of giving back to the region that gave me so much and helping ensure that families have access to immediate relief, rebuilding support, and hope during an incredibly difficult time.
-ETHAN MARTINEZ
INTRODUCING…
ETHAN MARTINEZ
My name is Ethan Martinez, and I am a Filipino-American artist based in Johnson City, TN. I like to tell people that I did not care to paint when I was younger because it was “too messy.” That was until I discovered oil paint in my freshman year of college, when everything changed for me. I quickly became consumed by painting, and I even changed my major to pursue an art career. The next year, I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia and majored in Painting and minored in Drawing, during which I exhibited in many small-group exhibitions and cohort showcases. I graduated in 2025 and have returned home to Johnson City, TN, to continue my practice. Since returning, I have had to unlearn many of the formal aspects taught at school to reconnect with why I make art. In the future, I plan to develop my practice, apply to a MFA program, and dig even deeper.
I believe our younger selves are the most authentic and honest versions of who we are. Through my art, I reconnect with that sense of curiosity and freedom that I once had as a child. My work explores the quiet discomfort of coming of age, the vulnerable transitory periods of life, and the yearning to rekindle my childhood perspective. Recently, I have been challenging my instinct for perfectionism and learning to trust my intuition more.
Nearly all of my pieces begin with the observation and reinterpretation of the world around me. Many of my artworks are grounded in realism, and often become metaphorical. I draw inspiration from light, nature and sometimes architecture. I gravitate toward larger projects, finding the physical motion of broad brushstrokes both engaging and addictive. In contrast, smaller works intimidate me, as they can feel confining. Aesthetically, I am drawn to sharp contrasts of light and shadow, informed by classical and Baroque artists, especially Caravaggio and his chiaroscuro technique.
Today, I use art to rediscover and learn more about myself. It is a practice of actively engaging with the art of becoming. This statement itself is ever-changing and unfixed. What is true for me now may not be true for me in the future.