Michael Rose writes: The Rhode Island art community is made up of many individuals who labor quietly to make art, mount exhibitions, and bring artworks to audiences. One person whose art practice bridges all of these areas is artist and arts advocate Paula Martiesian. A RISD alumna, Martiesian co-founded Gallery Night Providence, curates art exhibitions, and has been a positive force on the state’s art scene for decades. The foundation of all of her creative work, though, is her own practice as a painter of fantastically colorful images inspired by nature. Born in Providence and raised in Pawtucket, Martiesian credits a supportive community for enabling her to begin her life as an artist in the state, saying, “I liked Rhode Island, liked the fact the RISD was planted in the center of our capital city and that many of the people I knew worked in the design arts industry that surrounded us. Jewelry and Textiles were big and employed a huge swath of people. The people who worked in these industries did not think being an artist was odd, they understood the calling and recognized it in me, even as a young girl. That meant a great deal to me growing up and still does.”