Marta Gilbert, renowned local artist, originally from the United States, has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over 30 years, considering herself a “Pata Salada” (Salty Foot), commonly used term for people that are from Puerto Vallarta.

Marta’s paintings capture the expressive faces of Native Americans and Native Mexicans. You can find her work all over the world in Galleries and Museums.

Many of Marta's models are real people, some of them are results of a combination of features and still others are drawn from her dreams or remembrances. "On repeated occasions I've met people that I have already painted."

Although the first time it happened, she says, it was a scary experience; it has happened in so many instances that she takes it as a natural occurrence. "It is part of the process," she believes.

Her life work is most representative of Puerto Vallarta; it captures the real Mexico and the essence of its people like no other. .