We recently had the chance to connect with Kayla Martinez and have shared our conversation below.
Kayla, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I believe I’ll always be wandering any path I come across. I kind of grew up doing anything I wanted. So it’s in my nature to adventure. I’m just learning how to do that again. This world expects us to just walk in super robotic. I got distracted and let myself listen to them too much. Now it’s time for me to continue to wander around. Let myself get curious and allow myself to stay curious.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello everyone, I am Master K. Also known as Maze Brain. I’ve been expressing myself with the world since 2015 when I sold my first painting. My paintings are a constant representation of duality. It might just be the Scorpio in me. They dive into the uncomfortable depths of conversations we probably don’t wish to have but need. They dissect every part of myself. From all of my “bad” habits to all of my “good” habits. I turn my emotions into paintings. I tend to struggle with communication. I feel like I go too into depth or just not deep enough. This struggle has always turned me towards creation.. why should I choke myself up on words people will only listen to when they want. When I can catch their eyes, grasp their emotions, and let what needs to be said between the two come natural. Whatever it is that you need to hear, you’ll know it when you look at my paintings. I strive to create timeless art. Art that lives beyond my physical being. For the messages to reach those who need it. To hug them, to remind them, to motivate them, to keep them going and keep gratitude for light and dark. As I share it with others and grow that connection, it brings me more life. I can say my full inspiration is learning how to live and living to learn. My art teaches me how to exist and I hope it can do the same for you. As mentioned, my name is Master K and that’s just a message to myself. To remind me I am the master of my being. As well as Maze Brain, because even with the struggles of mental illness I will use my tools and work my way through the maze.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That I could do anything I want. That I can create anything I can imagine, from 2020 up until now I had forgotten that. I had others telling me otherwise while I was vulnerable. My wounds were open and people found their way in. But it’s okay because I continue to remind myself of the power I hold. That I can’t let this limited world get to me because of their own beliefs. As an artist I can’t let the poison get to me, because when I don’t create I feel empty. I guess I can say it’s not that I no longer believe it. I just have a hard time proving it to myself now.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I first started painting and selling my work I would always create bright work. People saw my paintings with more of a positive perspective. I’ve always struggled with depression, so when I would create those paintings to keep my mind on the positive it felt great, but I felt like I was hiding a part of me. No one could really see that and I didn’t want anyone beside those closest to me to be able to… It lead to me not being able to paint because I didn’t feel like it was me. I was struggling between being fully raw or seeing only the brighter side of situations. I went fully raw and hit a major transition in my work, same messages, just different colors now. It felt powerful, to connect all parts of me…felt natural and pure. I noticed some of my collectors and supporters drifted away from that, but with that came new collectors and supporters that understood both sides. I can’t imagine the feedback I’ll be getting on the stuff I’m currently working on but I’m hella excited to see and hear people’s reactions.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
At times I feel like no, but other times I feel like yes. Depending on whom I am around I’ll speak more or less. I’ll be super awkward (majority of the time) or a complete spazz. The spazz is my favorite. She talks to anyone and her anxiety shuts off for that time being, that usually consists of me making a lot of weird noises or just dancing to silence. I don’t speak with fear of what others will think of me. I usually find genuine connection in those times. Now, the awkward side of me comes out when I’m overwhelmed. She will be wide eyed and super attentive to any sound movement or even a life less stare. Which one is the real me ? I’m still trying to figure that out. For now, they both are.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
Not creating art my whole life. From 2020 to now seeing how miserable I’ve been without making art. I’ve made a few paintings here and there but not doing it everyday makes me sad. It makes me feel worthless, at times I feel my only purpose is to make art…. And adventure the world ! I don’t ever feel pressure to make art. I feel like it’s just a thing I need to do. Just like our body needs to eat, drink water, and shit. My body needs to make art, without it I feel lethargic, depressed, anxious, empty, and lifeless. So I must make art forever. Till my last breath.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://masterk.bigcartel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterk.art?igsh=MWpibWtrajF4dm9tdQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15qmwaQu2H/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lvlkasap?_t=ZT-8ydDwz4rLGB&_r=1
Image Credits
Buggxrl
