A bit about me: I'm a social scientist, data nerd, and college professor by trade - but an artist and a lot of other things too. Making art is an integral part of who I am - as one of my artist friends says "if artists don't make art, they go crazy". Truer words have not been spoken! 

I decided to make this site for two reasons: first, during the pandemic, it's very difficult to participate in shows - and I've been very productive over the past several months! I hope you enjoy seeing some of my work. 

If you are interested in purchasing one of these works, or in commissioning something like it in the event that a piece has already sold, please reach out via the contact form. 

Now, the second reason: something that I hear from folks quite frequently is that "I'm not creative" or "I wish I had time to do that". I spent many years ignoring my creative ideas because of negative self-talk (the above quotes are illustrative of some of my own internal voices). Thus, through this page and my Instagram (@martin_art_6) I hope to lead by example - creativity resides within all of us!  Regardless of what you want to do, you can try it - and fail at it - and get better!
A bit of a journey down the worm hole: As a kid, I used to draw quite often. In high school and in college, I actually intended to be an art major. However, negative self-talk (see above) prevailed, and I gradually set aside creativity for its own sake for much of my adult years. Many years later, after experiencing some personal tragedies, I returned to art, primarily (I thought) as a means of self-care or meditation to distract myself away from rumination. 

However, I've discovered over the  years that I process emotional events through my work - and that sometimes, these can emerge in shapes and images that are surprising to me yet sometimes recognizable by others! 
About my process: I think my best work emerges when I start with a simple idea - like "I'd like to do something with regular shapes" or "I'd like to do something green". If I'm coming at my art with another motivation, I tend to be displeased with the result.

I work in a variety of media and am usually trying my hand at something different as the mood (and my funds) strikes me.

I work relatively quickly in bursts. Some of the larger pieces take weeks but are built out in 45 -60 minute sessions of decreasing length as they get closer to completion

I also try to adhere to the great axiom: Know when to stop!