When we talk about creative sparks, we often think of the quiet ones — those who fan the flame rather than stand in its light. Ray Martinez was one of them. While his wife, Heather Martinez, first envisioned and launched Arts Perspective Magazine, Ray stood beside her, bringing his thoughtful eye and deep respect for artists to the heart of the project.
After his stroke, Ray assembled a small collection called Artist Statement, exhibited at the Recess Gallery at Studio & in Durango, Colorado. It gathered handwritten reflections from artists he admired and photographed — intimate glimpses into what drives creative work. Together, these statements embodied what Arts Perspective has always sought to honor: the human impulse to create and connect.
Ray passed away last year, but his quiet spark endures — in the images he captured, in the artists he celebrated, and in the magazine that continues to share the stories he helped bring to life. In 2010, when Denise Leslie took the reins of Arts Perspective, she recognized the lasting resonance of what Heather and Ray had begun — a publication rooted in curiosity, creativity, and community. The forthcoming relaunch rekindles that spirit, honoring their original vision while reimagining it for a new generation of artists and readers.
Artist Statement | August 2024 | The Recess Gallery at Studio &
Photographer Credits for all images in this story: Ray Martinez
