In the early twentieth century a broad range of dynamic artists called Tucson, Arizona home.
A collection of cowboys and rodeo stars picked up bushes, charcoal and pencils and began depicted the Arizona landscape.
When his father was bitten by a rattlesnake and died Pete began supporting his family at the age of twelve.
He rode herd for some major outfits including the Santa Rita Ranch of Los Banos, California, owned by the famed cattle kings Miller and Lux.
[2] It was not until 1915, with a small family inheritance that Pete was able to move to San Francisco began his formal art training.
Martinez described the period in his own words: “Bad Horses to ride and good scenery to paint.” While working for the Union Land and Cattle Company, Nevada's largest ranching operation that he met Will James.
In 1932 on the Southwestern Rodeo circuit, Martinez performed in the Fiesta del los Vaqueros in Tucson.
[6] The couple purchased a small ranch near Prince Road and Tucson Blvd, near the home of Maynard Dixon’s[7] and down the street from the original Ettore DeGrazia Studio.
For the famous Tap Room Bar, Martinez illustrated a series of drawings that depict the cowboy culture of the west.