As proof that UT National Championship fever has spread into every corner of Austin life, witness the Victory Rose, a new large-canvas painting by theatre artist/visual artist Melba Martinez. The piece is actually a natural outgrowth of artwork that the onetime head of the St. Edward’s University Theatre Department has been doing for more than a year and a half. Following the unexpected death of her niece, Emma Martinez, at the age of 21, Martinez was inspired to paint close-up images of roses on canvases 6 feet by 7 feet to 6 feet by 9 feet and has completed more than 50 works to date. Since she’s also been doing some teaching in the UT Department of Theatre & Dance of late, a work in honor of the school’s Rose Bowl victory only made sense. Yes, Longhorns, the painting is for sale, as are giclee prints of the painting. For more information, call 294-5976.
This article appears in January 13 • 2006.