Antoinette Martignoni
Encyclopedia
Antoinette Martignoni, a.k.a. Toni Martignoni (b. December 8, 1918 - ) is an artist in the personal growth and development movement, who developed the Inner Portrait process that uses art as a self-help
means to see hidden personal potential.
, New York
, she is the great-granddaughter of James McCune Smith
, the first African-American medical doctor with a university degree in the United States.
in 1941. In addition, she received a Diploma in Illustration from the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art
, now known as the University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
.
, and later founder of Martignoni & Co., a graphics and illustration firm in Fairfield, Connecticut
. Martignoni created illustrations for large United States corporations (such as Avis Rent A Car System
, Pepsi
, H. J. Heinz Company
, Nabisco
and Duracell
). As an illustrator for some of the top engineering firms from the 1960s through the 1980s, Martignoni produced illustrations of futuristic engineering projects, such as the Boston Tunnel that became known as the Big Dig and America’s first people mover
that was built at the West Virginia University
. In 1973, Martignoni illustrated an instructional woodworking book by author Carolyn Meyer
, Saw, Hammer, and Paint: Woodworking and Finishing for Beginners.
which became Landmark Education
in the 1980s and was in charge of assistants in Connecticut. She was a member of the Albertson Memorial Church in Greenwich, Connecticut
. As an artist Martignoni sought ways to unite human potential with art. She explored Zen drawing classes with therapist and poet Gunilla Norris and practiced a form of Painting from the Source, as created by Aviva Gold, with a group of women artists.
Influenced by writers Frederick Franck (The Zen of Seeing), Caroline Myss
(Anatomy of Spirit) and Julia Cameron
(The Artist’s Way), Martignoni began to use the power of art to connect people with their potential. In 1993 she drew her first Inner Portrait at age 74.
Martignoni was interviewed on TV by Heather Kovar for News 12 Connecticut
in May 2006 and an Inner Portrait drawing was used as the cover art for Natural Awakenings magazine in September 2006.
Self-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
means to see hidden personal potential.
Family
Born Antoinette B. Walker in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, she is the great-granddaughter of James McCune Smith
James McCune Smith
James McCune Smith was an American physician, apothecary, abolitionist, and author. He is the first African-American to earn a medical degree, and the first to run a pharmacy in the United States. Smith wrote forcefully in refutation of the common misconceptions about race, intelligence, medicine,...
, the first African-American medical doctor with a university degree in the United States.
Education
Martignoni was the first graduate to receive the Applied Arts degree from the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 1941. In addition, she received a Diploma in Illustration from the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art
Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art
The Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 26, 1876. This was in response to the Centennial International Exhibition held in Philadelphia that year....
, now known as the University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
The University of the Arts is one of the United States' oldest universities dedicated to the arts. Its campus makes up part of the Avenue of the Arts in Center City, Philadelphia...
.
Illustration career
She was a creative director and partner at Koelling/Martignoni & Co., Westport, ConnecticutWestport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
, and later founder of Martignoni & Co., a graphics and illustration firm in Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
. Martignoni created illustrations for large United States corporations (such as Avis Rent A Car System
Avis Rent A Car System
Avis Rent a Car System, LLC is a car rental company headquartered in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey, United States. Avis, Budget Rent a Car and Budget Truck Rental are all units of Avis Budget Group....
, Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
, H. J. Heinz Company
H. J. Heinz Company
The H. J. Heinz Company , commonly known as Heinz and famous for its "57 Varieties" slogan and its ketchup, is an American food company with world headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Perhaps best known for its ketchup, the H.J...
, Nabisco
Nabisco
Nabisco is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a production facility at 7300 S...
and Duracell
Duracell
Duracell is a brand of batteries manufactured by Procter & Gamble.Additionally, Duracell owns the Procell professional-use brand.-Products:Duracell manufactures alkaline batteries in many common sizes, such as AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V...
). As an illustrator for some of the top engineering firms from the 1960s through the 1980s, Martignoni produced illustrations of futuristic engineering projects, such as the Boston Tunnel that became known as the Big Dig and America’s first people mover
People mover
A people mover or automated people mover is a fully automated, grade-separated mass transit system.The term is generally used only to describe systems serving relatively small areas such as airports, downtown districts or theme parks, but is sometimes applied to considerably more complex automated...
that was built at the West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
. In 1973, Martignoni illustrated an instructional woodworking book by author Carolyn Meyer
Carolyn Meyer
Carolyn Meyer is an author of novels for children and young adults.The typical genre for her work is historical fiction, one of her more popular projects being the Young Royals series, each novel of which tells the story of a different female royal person...
, Saw, Hammer, and Paint: Woodworking and Finishing for Beginners.
Involved in personal growth and development
Involved in the Pathwork process from its beginning in the 1960s, Martignoni was present at many of the lectures channeled by Eva Broch Pierrakos. Martignoni explored ESTEST
-Places:* Est , a town in Gelderland* Estonia, a nation in northern Europe** Estonian language, the Estonian language in ISO 639.2 or ISO 639–3 language codes* Est Region , one of Burkina Faso's 13 administrative regions...
which became Landmark Education
Landmark Education
Landmark Education LLC is a personal training and development company which offers educational programs in approximately 115 locations in more than 20 countries worldwide....
in the 1980s and was in charge of assistants in Connecticut. She was a member of the Albertson Memorial Church in Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
. As an artist Martignoni sought ways to unite human potential with art. She explored Zen drawing classes with therapist and poet Gunilla Norris and practiced a form of Painting from the Source, as created by Aviva Gold, with a group of women artists.
Influenced by writers Frederick Franck (The Zen of Seeing), Caroline Myss
Caroline Myss
Caroline Myss is an American medical intuitive and mystic as well as the author of numerous books and audio tapes, including five New York Times Best Sellers: Anatomy of the Spirit , Why People Don't Heal and How They Can , Sacred Contracts , "Invisible Acts of Power" , and Entering The Castle...
(Anatomy of Spirit) and Julia Cameron
Julia Cameron
Julia B. Cameron is an American teacher, author, artist, poet, playwright, novelist, filmmaker, composer, and journalist. She is perhaps most famous for her book The Artist's Way...
(The Artist’s Way), Martignoni began to use the power of art to connect people with their potential. In 1993 she drew her first Inner Portrait at age 74.
Inner portrait artist
Martignoni has drawn more than 700 Inner Portraits since 1993. The portraits are in an illustrative style in which people and shapes are easily recognizable with a sub-text of hidden symbols and images. As a self-help technique that incorporates art with personal development, Martignoni developed a process of “reading” the portrait to uncover a story about the subject of the portrait. Making the emotional, spiritual or psychological connection with people is the keystone of the Inner Portrait process.Martignoni was interviewed on TV by Heather Kovar for News 12 Connecticut
News 12 Networks
News 12 Networks comprises seven regional cable news television channels in the New York metropolitan area. The channels offer local news 24-hours a day and reach approximately 3.8 million television households in the tri-state area...
in May 2006 and an Inner Portrait drawing was used as the cover art for Natural Awakenings magazine in September 2006.