We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amber Martinez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amber below.

Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew that I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally was in 2010 when I was creating art and gifting it to my family and friends. To hear their feedback was encouraging and that lit a bigger fire inside. It was when I started participating in small pop-ups and trunk shows that I knew I could do even more, so I set out to create a small creative business. Here I am fourteen years later! It still feels just as exciting as it did when I started.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My love for art started as a child, so it’s always been a part of who I am. I am a product of two creative people, so in my mind, I was destined to create. I’ve always found myself doodling, tinkering, making things using other things, and making messes to create something, whether it makes sense or not. Paintings, dolls, and jewelry are my three go-tos when creating. I enjoy using paint, metal, fabric, resin, clay, wood, ethically sourced animal bones, and leather. I consider myself a sustainable creative. Recycling and upcycling materials are imperative to me. Some people may remember me as a fabric/doll artist going by the name, “Voodoo Dolls A Go-Go” but I have rebranded to include even more of my jewelry, now going by the name, “Bruja’s Bones”. It feels great to rebrand and include all of my creations.

Having some brain drain and or an artistic block will happen and I think taking a short break and re-emerging without completely throwing in the towel says a lot. Within my fourteen years of taking my art seriously, there have been ups and downs but to not give up or just let it all go because of a challenge says a lot about how much I’ve grown as a person and creative. That’s something I am proud of.

The main thing that I want others to know about my work is that it’s a reflection of who I am and who I am striving to be as I evolve and age; Ethnically, culturally, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a collective of my goodness, my flaws, and faults, the pride I have for where I come from, an ode to my ancestors, and the healing it creates when I am enveloped in my work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that I can create art whenever I feel necessary. It’s my therapy, it’s my solace. I have the privilege of walking into my kitchen where my art space is, and create when I want to. It’s a magical scenario I have allotted to myself. Whether it’s a stellar day or a not-so-good day, I have a coping mechanism at my fingertips and that’s pretty rad!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Becoming a licensed crisis therapist in 2015 taught me a lot about how utilizing simple materials such as a box of crayons, a pencil, and paper can put young children at ease in a crisis. Experiencing these moments encouraged my decision to further my education in my field but adding an alternative method to that. In 2019 I earned a master’s degree in art therapy and I chose that path because creating art plays a significant role in our mental health. The act of creating anything can assist in a healing journey. There is a release that happens when we put our feelings and emotions into creating a form of art. On a personal level, art has always aided my feelings, emotions, and the different woes I may have been experiencing throughout my life. I don’t think I will ever stop creating because it’s a simple reminder that if I can’t vocalize something that’s aching me, I can produce something to release those grievances. My mission in creating art is to heal parts of myself, and if I can assist others in doing the same thing, that will always be valuable to me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @brujasbones
• Other: My Website is being rebuilt, so look for it this fall!

Image Credits

All pictures are taken by me.