Biography

Robert Martinez was born in Wyoming in the small city of Riverton. He grew up recognizing he was a part of many different cultures as his lineage is Spanish, Mexican, Scotts Irish, French Canadian, and Northern Arapaho. He graduated Riverton High School at 17 and through a scholarship, attended the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in Painting & Drawing and minoring in sculpture, in 3 years and at age 19, becoming one of the Youngest to graduate from RMCAD at that time.

As he was brought up in the center of the reservation, his native heritage remains a constant inspiration and source of ideas for his work. Living among the hard-working people of the West and experiencing their issues also deeply influence his creations. The past and present often resonate strongly in Wyoming and those historical and contemporary chords echo throughout his work.

Much of Robert’s current work uses historical imagery, myths and stories of the West combined with modern themes to create images that have a statement on the issues of today. Using intense vibrant color and contrasting shades of light and dark, he paints and draws striking forms that are confronting and engages the viewer.

His paintings and drawings have been shown across the Nation and have garnered noted acclaim. He’s been given Wyoming highest award for the arts, the Wyoming Governors Art Award. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Wyoming State Museum, Brinton Museum, The Plains Indian Museum at the Cody Center of the West, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

A strong supporter of Education and of the Arts, Robert devotes time to helping and mentoring artists locally and through out the Nation. He gives back to the community by speaking about art topics, giving workshops, and demonstrating his style to schools, agencies and art groups.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts 1997, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.
Recent Shows & Exhibitions
2025
Breckenridge Arts Festival, Breckenridge CO
Star Valley Art Auction, Star Valley WY
Plein Air Art Festival, NWAM, Jackson WY
Pop Goes The West, Center of the West, Cody WY
CM Russel First Strike Auction, Great Falls MT
CNPA/Western Art Week, Great Falls MT
Fur-Real Show, Fresh Mochi Gallery, Seattle WA
Wyoming Governor’s Residence, Cheyenne WY
The Crow Show, The Studio Door, San Diego CA
Yellowstone Art Auction, Yellowstone Museum, Billings MT
Jackson Hole Still Works, Jackson WY
Colorado Indian and Southwest Art Fest, Denver CO
Western Spirit Art Show, CFDOWM, Cheyenne WY
AVA Art Auction, Gillette WY
2024
Washakie Museum Quickdraw & Exhibit, Worland WY
Art of the West, High Desert Museum, Bend OR
Homelands, Dairy Arts Center, Boulder CO
Jackson Indigenous Art Market, Jackson WY
Art of the West, High Desert Museum, Bend OR
Fire & Ice Exhibit, Nicolaysen Museum, Casper WY
100 Years Gala, Art 321, Casper WY
Art of the West, High Desert Museum, Bend OR
Pachuco, 1202 Contemporary, Gilroy CA
Full Circle, Nat Mus of Wildlife Art, Jackson WY
Grounded, Am.Unv. Museum, Washington DC
Art & Soul of the Magic Valley, Twin Falls, ID
Western Spirit Art Show, CFDOWM, Cheyenne WY
WY Governors Capitol Art Exhibit, Cheyenne WY
AVA Art Auction, Gillette WY
Yellowstone Art Auction, Yellowstone Museum, Billings MT
“I Hate Hearts”, Mystery Print Gallery, Pinedale WY
2023
Grounded, Rock Springs Fine Art Center, RS WY
Washakie Museum Quick Draw, Worland WY
Jackson Indigenous Art Market, Jackson WY
The New West, UW Art Museum, Laramie WY
The Mix, Solo Show, LCCC Gallery, Cheyenne, WY
SWAIA Art Market, Santa Fe NM
Our Other Brothers & Sisters, The Nicolaysen Museum, Casper, WY
Grounded, The Center, Jackson WY
A tribute to Black Bear Bosin Show, Un of MN
Grounded, Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne WY
Paper Works, SiteBrooklyn, Brooklyn New York
Out West Art Show, Great Falls MT
“Hii3oobeiseihii (True Voices),” Nat. Museum of Wildlife
Art, Jackson WY
Grounded, The Nicolaysen Museum, Casper WY
Recent Awards
2025
Best of Mixed Media, Western Spirit Show, Cheyenne WY
People’s Choice Award, AVA ART Center Gillette WY
Art Matters, 2nd Place, AVA ART Center Gillette WY
2024
Tom West Award, Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper WY
WY Governors’ Art Show Purchase Award, Cheyenne WY
Best of Drawing, Western Spirit Art Show, Cheyenne WY
Art Matters, 2nd Place, AVA ART Center Gillette WY
2023
Inspired Natives Award, Eighth Generation
People’s Choice Award, Out West Art Show, Great Falls, MT
2022
150th Commemoration Yellowstone Nat. Park Poster Artist
WY Capitol Governors Purchase Award, Cheyenne WY

Galley Affiliations
Soho Galleri, Västerås, Sweden
Kuhl Gallery, Trinidad CO
Wyld Gallery, Austin TX
Wind River Gallery, Riverton, WY

Organizational Affiliations
Wyoming Arts Council Board, WY Governor Appointed
Creative Indigenous Collective – Co-Founder
Northern Arapaho Artist Society – Co-Founder
Creative Nations Advisory Member
Intercultural Leadership Institute Alumni
Wyoming Arts Council Roster Artist
WESTAF Leaders of Color