The Wilma Martinez Project

APE

wilmarocks — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:49:37 +0000

Wilma made a memorable cameo in my short film APE which screened at the Baltimore Museum of Art on December 4th and 11th. It was a loose interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue.

Now that I’ve turned on the cameras again after over 15 years, I’m excited to start making more movies with Wilma!

APE film still

Wilma Film

wilmarocks — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:47:02 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I was asked if I was interested in making a short film for the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Edgar Allan Poe Centennial Exhibit that is scheduled for this fall in Baltimore. And what perfect timing because I was already thinking about making a film and now I have a venue all set to show it…a museum!

I haven’t made a film in YEARS…I made a bunch of short Super 8 “psychodramas” in the late 80s and I think the last thing I did was a video for Ginger Coyote and her band The White Trash Debutantes in 1993! But I’m ready and it should be fun. The film has to have a Poe theme and I am pretty sure of my main idea and hope to cast Wilma in there somewhere so stay tuned for more info on that.

Wilma Artscape Wrap Up

wilmarocks — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:27:58 +0000

Overdue thank you and update.

The Wilma Martinez Exhibit was a HUGE success. I had hundreds of delighted, confused and entertained people come through the booth at Artscape. I was also singled out by Vince Peranio who mentioned me and Wilma on NPR, and had a photo and mention in the City Paper (below).

A fews after the Wilma Martinez Exhibit at Artscape, I posted this note on Facebook:

I want to thank everyone who stopped by to see the Wilma booth at Artscape and to give an especially big thanks to everyone who participated in this fun project. I also want to thank Vince Peranio for all of his support and appreciation of this project, Lania D’Agostino and Andy Gore for his amazing work printing the Wilma Warhol shirt!

For the past few months I have been wondering how people would react to this exhibit and the responses did not disappoint. There was a great diversity in reaction to the booth and an incredible amount of positive feedback. Some of the things people said on exiting included:
“Genius!”, “Brilliant!”, “Outstanding!”, “Awesome!”, “Awe-inspiring!”, “Hilarious!”, “Miraculous!” and on and on…it was fantastic.

These reactions came from people who gave the exhibit more than a passing glance and actually took a little time to digest what I was doing. They were the ones who got the most out of it and understood it.

Other reactions were typical, “What’s wrong with her lips?”, “Weird.”, “Scary.” and multitudes of sour-looking faces from girls between the ages of 13-23…they hated it!

My favorite reaction came from a woman who thought Wilma was a disfigured freak who I was helping. She thought I was doing such a good deed helping this poor, unfortunate creature get work and gain recognition for her efforts. “This is so wonderful what you are doing.” she said, shaking her head in sincere sadnes.

Vince Peranio and Delores Deluxe

I also want to give a huge thank you to Lawrence Snelly, who designed the Wilma Make-Up Doll and Dave Erlich whose copywriting talents on the “mail in coupon” entertained many visitors to the Wilma Exhibit. I was so preoccupied with meeting and greeting the throngs of people coming through the Midway that I did not get a decent photo of Larry’s awesome creation which stood under a bell jar on a rotating mirrored platform…it was a real crowd pleaser. If anyone has a good photo of the doll in the booth, please let me know.

Thanks again everyone.

As to Wilma, she is still busy and I will update her next little project in the following entry.

City Paper clipping.

Vintage Wilma Martinez Doll

wilmarocks — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:09:13 +0000

Packaging and action figure designer, Lawrence Snelly, created this amazing Wilma doll which will be on display at Artscape (July 17-19 in Baltimore) along with vintage advertising.

Flash Tattoo Art of Wilma!

wilmarocks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:29:47 +0000

Illustrator and tattoo designer Paul Harting created some super cool flash art of Wilma! Done in an old school and pin-up style Wilma looks as good as any Sailor Jerry girl! I especially like the rubber gloved praying hands. So smart and classic! Good work, Paul!

Paige Pumphrey Wilma Romance

wilmarocks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:23:33 +0000

Brooklyn based artist, Paige Pumphrey has submitted a superb romance comic book cover for the Wilma Project. I knew Wilma was a lot of things, but now rumors will be flying that she’s a size queen too!

Wilma Lives…and she is Pissed!

wilmarocks — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:15:24 +0000

Wilma has been having some crazy tabloid drama (1997)…the impersonators are coming out of the woodwork and she is trying to maintain her composure. If you can’t read the actual copy here, you can go to my Flickr page to read it and click on All Sizes to see a larger version: HERE

R.I.P. Farrah and Michael.

Wilma Fan Art by Jim Sheely

wilmarocks — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:06:04 +0000

Seattle artist Jim Sheely, has contributed a diverse number of art inspired by Wilma, each done in a different style. I cannot recommend enough that you check out his work here and his Etsy store. Just look at the carving he did of lovely Ms. Martinez! I have a dream to own a ten foot totem pole done by this artist to some day have in my backyard.

The Suppositories Are Back!

wilmarocks — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:36:14 +0000

Wilma has an amazing spread in this week’s Baltimore OutLoud. I interview her and talk about her punk days in New York City. I’m thrilled that she is reforming her band, The Suppositories. Here is the article and a couple of Polaroids from the shoot. You can read the article here.

Wilma!

Wilma Martinez: All Gassed Up!

Suppositories 1977 T-Shirt Design

wilmarocks — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:54:28 +0000