BELFAST — You could call it a “farm-to-model” style of fashion. Janita Martinez, a young artist who grew up in New York City and moved to Rockland three years ago, is about to display her unique fashions tonight at the Maine Farmland Trust Gallery as part of its “Bearing Fruit” show.

Her “Fashions In The Raw” are exotic dresses made entirely from plant, root and vegetable material. 

“Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., my mother owned a crafts and fabric shop and my father worked in Manhattan's garment district, so I was surrounded by sewing and cloth,” she said. “We were a blue collar household, but it was normal for us to pick out material and have dresses made for special occasions. One of my favorite memories is going to Manhattan with my father and picking out the light pink fabric for my Marilyn Monroe inspired prom dress. It came very naturally to me to see the colors and textures of overgrown vegetables and envision it on the contours of the body.”

She got her start farming in New Jersey in 2009. She then moved to Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. In 2012, she took over the post at Primo restaurant as the head farmer and spent three seasons there. “I have since left Primo and I am currently starting my own farm and garden design business called Grounded Local Consulting,” she said.

Last year, Primo had a "home grown" art room, where employees (many of whom are also artists) hung work for a six-week showing. Martinez hung six prints during the month of December. And now, she’s ready for her first gallery show at Maine Farmland Trust Gallery.

“I feel ready,” she said. “This has been a six-year long body of work and I am excited to share with a broader audience.”

To see more of Martinez’ art and dresses, visit our galley to see what they are made of.

“Bearing Fruit” showcases four artists in whose work the organic image plays a central role. The show runs April 3–May 8, with an opening reception Friday, April 3, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For more information visit: mainefarmlandtrustgallery.org

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com