Art Showings in Brisbane Store
ROBERT MARTIN
09 - 31 August 2008 : For further information please contact Paul Byford, Store Manager (07) 3404 0202
ARTIST’S PROFILE
ROBERT MARTIN
Born: Brisbane 20/5/47
Robert has had a passionate attachment to painting since childhood, but his first encounter with art came at the tender age of fifteen when he was drawn into the hard-edged world of advertising as a trainee illustrator/designer. Surviving his commercial art rites of passage as a freelancer and art director, he took the bold step of starting his own ad agency, Robert Martin Advertising, at the surprisingly young age of twenty five.
His agency operated successfully for over thirty years, yet throughout its history, Robert never lost his lust for the smell of oils and the challenge of a blank canvas. He rubbed shoulders with many talented commercial illustrators and a few respected European artists, who, as economic refugees from starving in unheated garrets in places like Prague and Vienna, had taken salaried shelter in the corridors of advertising art.
Robert has made room in his life to return to art that springs from the soul rather than the spreadsheet. He is self-taught, honing his talent and technique in many workshops conducted by successfully established artists of repute. He has recently been preparing figure studies and these have been recognized with First and Second award winning prizes.
Oils are Robert’s chosen medium ands themes are drawn from his long-standing love affair with the sun, sand and sea. His coastal lifestyle subjects reflect a world apart from the brash, uncompromising realities of commercial life and have evoked an enthusiastic response from people viewing his first works displayed.
For Robert, it now seems the wheel has turned full circle and that childhood passion for visual expression for its own sake has been re-kindled.
Robert’s works are now exhibited in Art Galleries throughout the South East Queensland region and has now had successful solo exhibitions in the first 2 years of his works being shown.
"From Paris to Provence" showing is a series of works from a recent trip to France. It is the first time Robert has attempted this subject matter - now completed and happy with how the pieces have been accepted. Robert is already planning the next theme.
