Organic Art: Heavy Metal Fan Draws on Beautiful Women for Inspiration

Billy Martinez’s art is so cool it’s up in the Cosmos.

Cosmos Coffee Café displays Martinez’s slinky minxes for sale. They've been up for a while now.

The artist himself is a stark contrast to La Mesa’s quaint little antiquing community. A rock ''n' roll fan and musician, Martinez is more Mötley Crüe than Benny Goodman. Nevertheless, after talking to him, it’s easy to see the family man fits just fine around our town.

When Town Pulse caught up to the busy artist and entrepreneur, he was at the grocery store buying 7-Up and other supplies for one of his four kids, down with a bug. Martinez has lived in La Mesa for 12 years.

Martinez, who originally hails from Oceanside, attended art school in Monterey before flying south. Even equipped with what he had learned in school, Martinez said he learned the most from fellow professionals.

“Being in the business when you start off is a big learning curve,” said Martinez, who has had his work published everywhere, including illustrated magazine mainstay Heavy Metal.

The girls featured in Martinez art reflect a variety of feelings and emotions. He said he draws from a variety of sources. “Sometimes it’s inspired by red wine, sometimes it’s inspired by my wife, sometimes it’s inspired by something I’ve seen,” he said. “With my art I’m a little more free spirited with it. It’s kind of my alter ego. … It’s like how the Rolling Stones write a song. I’m very loose about it, but I have a structure.

“I look at art like the music business. You’ve gotta feel it… It’s got to be organic.”

Martinez said his art tells a story that may be gleaned by the glimmer in his characters’ eyes.  “Some of the women I draw or paint may or may not exist. They’re kind of more of a personality.”

Unsurprisingly, Martinez finds much of his inspiration in his wife. “She’s one of the most beautiful women—I love her to death.”

Martinez’s prints start at $30. His paintings are $300 and up. He also does commissions and custom pieces for $400, a reasonable price for such an experienced artist. “The main thing is you want to get it in people’s homes,” he said.

Martinez also teaches art in his own Neko Press Art Studios across from Helix Charter High School. For $70 a month, students get four classes for an hour-and-a-half each. Art supplies are included. Ever the chill guy, he said beginners are just as welcome as experienced artists.

If you want to catch Martinez live, you can witness him painting some very dark Valentine images handcrafted for an event entitled, “Ascension,” at Kava Lounge at 2812 Kettner Blvd. “Robin Roth will be spinning while I work,” he said. The rise to the top starts at 9 p.m. Saturday.