Melting fluorescent hued desert sunsets. The curve of a lip connecting to the shadow of a cheekbone. Geometric planes that create a kaleidoscopic crystal cluster. The nostalgia evoked from the color palette of vintage wallpaper. These are a few of the inspirations Martha’s mind collages together in her paintings.
Born in Tucson, raised in Kansas City, ten years in the rural Ozarks, and back to Kansas City again. Martha’s time spent in these surroundings has shaped and varied her aesthetics. Martha’s art depicts a psychedelic fever dream inspired by the beauty around us. Where words fail, a paintbrush whispers a love poem to nature, animals, and unique humans.
Martha graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Painting. In 2016 she was awarded Saguaro National Park’s first Artist in Residence. She lived in the park for a month while teaching art programs and creating a painting that hung in the visitor’s center until it was auctioned to raise proceeds for the park. In 2018 Martha took a college semester to learn the art of silver smithing. Since childhood Martha has kept collections of rocks, crystals, and gemstones. Silver smithing seemed a beautiful and lasting way to display her interest in gemology.
Martha’s work resides in private, public, and corporate art collections, such as the Joplin Empire Market, Carthage HIgh School, and BKD Joplin offices. She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in the Midwest and Southwest of the United States.