Today we’d like to introduce you to Cease Martinez.
Cease, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always drawn. Always had a fascination with art. I use watch Bob Ross and Commander Mark religiously. I remember in elementary I would enter the rodeo art contests and won two different times once was first place the other was second place. As I got older I started to take an interest into street graffiti and murals on cars mostly lowriders. That’s when I started to get a Lil more trouble. Hanging out with gangs and stuff drawing a lot of Chicano art. I would spend lots of my time drawing when I wasn’t playing sports and such.. All I wanted to do was draw. My dad never really cared for my art or the ability to draw. Without getting into to much detail, let’s say I went through a lot of abuse growing up and art was my escape. The more he would tell not to do it the more I did it.. then one summer I had failed a grade and had to take summer classes it was summer of 93 that was the first time I was introduced to graffiti art. I was hooked because of that I got into hip-hop and breaking.. break dancing.. Eventually, I was hooked on the graffiti art form. I remember coming across a local artist who was at that time doing some really good realistic images. That is when I took everything I had taught myself and learned to another level that eventually would later shape my carrer.. I was so intrigued with graffiti art being able.to paint large images with aerosol man that was it that was all I wanted to do. At the time there was no outlet for it so we had to make it yes illegally I would paint all hours of the night creating more problems at home.. An artist once said to me to be the best graffiti artist you have to be able to paint anything everything with spray paint.. That is exactly what I did. I wanted to be able to paint everything I saw. There was a store just down the street from where I lived and decided to ask the store owner if spray paint his wall. He replied no I dont want that tagging stuff on my wall I tried to explain that it was a picture he wasnt trying here it I told him that the wall being left open would just invite taggers anyway. Putting a picture would prevent that.. Still nothing. I was mad lol so a week later I went late at night at tagged up the wall. A few days later I finally convinced him to let me paint that wall. Lol I landed my first paid gig off that and that is when I realized that maybe I ould make a living off my art. Of course, my dad thought otherwise. I eventually would drop out of school; my dad and parents divorced and had two kids and ended up doing some time. From 95 till 2003 was a mess in the process of all that I still drew. When I got out life was different I tried to get real jobs but nothing so I tried hustling murals again it’s the only thing I was good at but even that was hit and miss so that’s where the tattooing came in I’ve been tattooing 15 years now but that isn’t my first love.. Persistence has taken me to places I’d never dream of. And to some there not a big deal. I’ve had artwork featured in Beyonce’s video angel I have had a mural that was home to many people’s video the big iron man has done at the old meridian which rece6was covered but was there since 2013 I also did the big moe mural which was featured in a Netflix documentary. Done work with Nordstrom various celebrities travel to various states was hired to do the artwork for the first Travis Scott concert and much much more. I’m greatly humbled and thankful for everything that I have done because of my artwork. I’ve taught at Houston’s break free hiphop school from 2011 till 2018 I’ve partnered up with my wife and two friends and created the hiphop market that’s grown so big. As a teen, I just wanted to paint and hoped one day to make a living off my art. I was told art was a waste of time and being a drop out having kids at a young age wouldn’t allow such a thing. But because my wife has supported and pushed me having a brother believe in me has been my motivation and someone telling me I’d never make it was the fuel to the fire that still burns today inside me. I never would imagine doing some of the things I’ve done simply because I paint. My kids have graduated one attended college and I still paint as much as I can for my self and as a career and when I’m not painting, I’m tattooing printing up merch and T-shirts for my brand called the black sheep. And I’ll be doing this until the day I want no more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I said in the past question, lol probably should have saved some for this part lol. It was difficult when most people were going to college I was a dad but I also had to go away for some foolishness. I grew up within a broken home and had a brother pass away. Having to battle through all those emotions anger etc. was tuff. Whenever I painted it was like it all went away. I would put on my headphones and lose myself in my work. I’m very fortunate because my wife wouldn’t let me give up. We have had ups and downs mostly my fault, but she’s been my ride or die for almost 25 years now. I think the hardest for me was losing my little brother. When my parents split, I had my wife who was my girlfriend at the time, but he didn’t has anyone, so he eventually fell victim to the street life. Having kids really young kinds help keep me from that. And I separated myself from him because of it. I could afford any more trouble.
Which is probably one of my great regrets. We manage to hash everything out before he passed but I still hold my self accountable at times. I’m very hard on myself. In all that I do. But that particular time period was my darkest. I eventually bounced back and took flight after that.
Please tell us about your business.
I do so many things but my main services are murals and tattoos. My clothing line is just a side hustle and the market we put on is more for the community. I do commission murals for businesses, homes, etc. I also do custom airbrushing on T-shirts and vehicles. I don’t like the term specialize because I’ve always felt that the word means limited. I hear it as what is you limited too, so I say I’m known for my realism but do any and everything that’s set in front of me. So far, I haven’t encountered something I’m unable to do.
What am I proud of hmm well, everything I’ve painted I’ve always had the client or people in mind. I want to capture their approval for their satisfaction. It drives me crazy when I see a negative comment or remark. Again, I’m my worst critic, so I’m always second guessing and tearing apart my work. So I guess making the community and people happy is what I pride my self on. That is what I most proud of—making the people happy. I’m not sure what sets me apart from others, well I’m faster than most maybe I can complete projects very quickly and accurately and I dont use rulers stencils or projectors lol that is something I also.take pride in complete free hand.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Humility. One thing I’ve always made sure of is never to be concerned with fame or popularity. I talk to everyone I’m quick to give advice pointers etc. I’ve met so many people that I have looked up to and have been disappointed in how rude and arrogant they are. So for me humility.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8328893579
- Email: cease321@gmail.com
- Instagram: Cease.mzk
- Facebook: Cease Martinez
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