Sydney based artist Angus Martin had been working as a hairdresser in Adelaide for over 5 years when he realised that not everyone was willing to invest in a fun and creative hairstyles. The lack of experimentation led the contemporary artist to pivot his career and complete an Advanced Diploma of Advertising and Graphic Design, which helped him explore all basic fundamentals of design including colour theory, life drawing, sketching and painting.
“It became normal for me to carry a sketchbook around and look for inspiration in everyday activities and see things in a different way”, Angus explains.
After completing his studies, Angus went on to work in the advertising industry in account management before switching to the creative side as a designer, working full-time and painting on the side as a creative outlet.
“I always thought of it just as a hobby that I absolutely loved. The idea of painting full-time was a dream. I started an Instagram account, joined a few online galleries, built a website, became stocked in a few stores locally, nationally and Internationally, and became represented by a Gallery. All of this led to being able to do what I love full-time”.
Destined to succeed, Angus quit his job within 6 months of his first sale and has not looked back ever since.
A self-described introvert, his pieces are inspired by music and a daydream state where his creativity is fuelled. His work is figurative, and influenced by colour psychology, inspiring Angus to balance hues from light to dark in order to evoke emotions from his audience.
Read on below for my interview with Angus Martin & please like, comment and share with your friends.
X Luciana
How would you describe your work?
I’d describe my style as emotional – most of my pieces carry deep meaning and is the result of my experiences, and centre around capturing the feelings and emotions that arise from love and relationships. My goal is to initiate an emotional response which people can relate to their own experiences. The titles of each piece also carry a cryptic, deeper meaning which relate to the overall experience.
I struggle with letting people know the true insight into the meanings behind pieces, as I find being an artist is like having a diary for the world to view, and letting strangers take little pieces of your story home with them. But I find when I do open up and tell people the meanings behind pieces, the reactions have been so positive. People genuinely love the pieces more knowing the meanings and inspiration behind the artwork. They can relate to them and see them in a different light.
Can you give us some insight into your process? How do you create your art?
I create acrylic and ink line drawings and custom pieces in both mediums. With the acrylic pieces I like to focus on the psychology behind colours – I use colour to strengthen the meaning behind the piece. For custom pieces, I like to delve into the reasons behind the piece and create something that holds special meaning to the individuals. A recent custom piece was for a newlywed couple in New York. The artwork represented a sense of ‘feeling at home with one another’, so I used a palette of colours from a photo they had taken in Central Park at sunset. The work is imbued with the strong golden hues and greens from the sea of trees I saw in their picture. It was the perfect combination for the piece as green is symbolic of harmony, suggests stability and is associated with emotional healing and protection. And gold is symbolic of generosity – there’s an increase in compassion and love by being around the colour itself.
Another recent wedding piece for a wanderlust couple represented the roads travelled together. We used colours from a photo they had taken at their favourite destination – The Joshua Tree. I infused the acrylic paint with essential oils, that carried meanings of passion and love, for a special touch.
What inspires your artworks?
I have two major inspirations.
The first is music – especially lyrics that I can relate to. Most of my works are titled after lyrics of songs that had a profound influence on me. Music can resurface a lot of memories, and if I am drawn to a specific lyric or tune, I’m transported to a particular time or place. I’ll listen to a song on repeat whilst painting a piece to focus on that specific memory – be it good or bad. I then try to express those emotions through drawing and painting.
My second inspiration I owe to my seventh-grade school teacher who told me that it seemed as though I was daydreaming all day in my own world. I always remembered this and was embarrassed that I came across that way and was programmed to believe it was a bad thing. From that time, I became aware of being more involved and present. Introverts look inwardly to recharge, and this can be conceived as anti-social and shy, when really most people don’t realize is there is a depth of ideas, thoughts and feelings circulating within. It’s only in the past few years that I actually started to realize that my ‘daydream’ state is where my creativity is fueled, and it’s a place where ideas come to life and it’s not a bad place at all.
What are some resources you use for inspiration?
I’m inspired by all creative people in general! Artists, Musicians, Poets, etc. And I always tend to go back to my favourite Musicians for inspiration, Björk, Placebo, Cocorosie, Anohni, and Lyves.
What would your dream project be?
Collaborating with a musician would be amazing – I create paintings based on my favourite songs, and how I interpret them visually anyway, but being involved in the song writing process and creating a visual together which is made to be viewed whilst listening to a song to deepen the emotional connection would be an amazing highly creative, inspiring process!
What are some of your favourite pastimes?
Gym, meditation, walking Dolly my French Bulldog, Music, and painting!
What’s next for Angus Martin Art?
I’m exhibiting at The Other Art Fair Sydney 19-22 March at the Cutaway, Barangaroo. Then exhibiting with Van Rensburg Galleries at Affordable Art Fair New York City 26-29 March at the Metropolitan Pavillion.