LUBBOCK, Texas– A Lubbock artist returned from Uvalde on Sunday after painting a mural of one of the victims killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in May, he told KLBK News on Monday.
“It’s really sad. You can feel it everywhere you go- even when you get something to eat. You can hear it in people’s voices- how hurt they are about the whole situation, ”said Joey Martinez, who agreed to participate in the‘ Healing Uvalde Art Project ’as one of 21 Texas artists invited to paint portrait mural of victims.
Martinez chose to paint Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, her brother -in -law’s distant cousin.
“I did my research and I try to find out as much information as I can,” Martinez said.
The mural was finished 20 × 20 feet, he explains, and battling triple digit temperatures, Martinez was able to finish the mural in less than two days with the help of his assistant artist Diego Diaz.
“There is a lot of traffic in this area. People are honking, stopping and talking to us, offering us water … It’s amazing how everyone comes together, ”Martinez explained.
A few days before his trip to Uvalde, Martinez spoke with Annabell’s mother.
“She started telling me stories about her: how she loved animals and she wanted to be a veterinarian. She was telling me about a necklace that Xavier Lopez gave her. She was going to wear this necklace. in all his baseball games, ”he shared.
Xavier Lopez, 10, was crushed by Annabell who was also killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary School. Their families laid the two children side by side.
Hours before the shooting, Annabell and Xavier attended the end-of-year honor roll ceremony.
“Annabell was really passionate about school and she was the one who motivated Xavier to be a better student,” Martinez explains.
When asked about the design elements, Martinez said he wanted to capture the essence of Annabell’s personality. He painted a dog to represent his dream of becoming a veterinarian, a phone with a text message on the screen saying “I love you” with Xavier’s name on the top- showing their love for each other- and with ‘ A+’sign at the bottom. the logo of the Uvalde District to recognize his achievements.
Martinez also painted 21 hearts to honor each victim of the massacre.
He added that while he works pro bono, he appreciates the support he received from the Lubbock community after several people contacted him offering money for his trips to and from Uvalde, as well as also paying for his hotel, which he said he would have money for. was happy to pay out-of-pocket.
Martinez said he gave his all to the project and he is proud to show Uvalde how important, dear and supportive the City of Lubbock is to its neighbors to the south.
