Martin graduated with honors from Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida in 1981. He started his career as an illustrator in Atlanta, GA. His many clients included Coca-cola, the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Pacific and Turner Broadcasting. Martin and his wife, Rhonda, moved to Newnan, GA in 1984 where he met John Ehrenhard with the Southeastern Archaeological Center(SEAC) and in 1991 he was commissioned by SEAC and the National Park Service to paint a 5,000-year-old
prehistoric Indian site known as Sara’s Ridge. This began an ongoing series of paintings that range from prehistoric villages to Vietnam era training facilities.
In 1999, Martin was approached by the Park Service to do a series of paintings depicting various aspects of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Sixteen canvases depict Custer’s last battle from beginning to end. These paintings are the park’s new wayside exhibit program and help to tell both sides of the story of this battle for the many visitors that come to the southeastern Montana landmark every year. Other projects include: Mississippian mound villages, 19th and early 20th century mills and farms, WWII soldiers parading through Leesville, LA, Underground Railroad history, archaeologists during the WPA period, a 1926 football game at Fort Benning, GA...to name a few.
His work is displayed at Warren AFB, Little Bighorn National Monument, Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, Fort Pulaski, Overland Victory Trail, SEAC headquarters, Poverty Point Mounds Visitors Center, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, museums, private collections and many other locations.
Martin’s paintings have been used to illustrate educational books, posters, wayside exhibit panels, museum backdrops as well as other applications. They are a valuable tool for interpreters and guides and a key element in educating the public and increasing interest in historic sites and events.
Procedure:
To get started, contact Martin about your interests and any questions you have. He will send price estimates for the art as well as other possible costs(framing, shipping/delivery, digital scan, and travel if needed) Martin will include a general guideline of how the painting process will proceed, how payments are handled and other pertinent information.