Today we’d like to introduce you to Wren Martin.
Hi Wren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story starts with two incredible high school art teachers. One taught me to never give up on being an artist at my core and the other showed me the possibilities of teaching with admirable compassion and knowledge. Because I had this amazing perspective, they pushed me to go to school for my bachelors in drawing and painting and then obtain my teaching certification after graduation. With this direction, towards a degree in art, I was offered my desired high school art teacher position over 10 applicants with teaching experience. Sometimes it is about what you know. I had an amazing time teaching my students and learning from their art. Seeing the kind of art a high schooler can make from their time of formative emotions can be the most rewarding perspective. My time was cut short at this school unfortunately with the lack of school structure, overwhelming class sizes and overloaded schedule. With being so new to teaching I felt overwhelmed and knew there could be greener pastures.
I decided to jump into the deep end and take a break this year to pursue my artwork full time. I was able to reach out again to former clients that had to press pause on spending money during covid. An exterior job at Denton County Brewing Company, along with a few other media rooms and restaurants was enough work to last me the majority of the year. I have had some incredible support this year in ways I never thought possible. My mentor is an investor in the brewery and therefore created funds for their mural and exterior refresh. This same mentor also had the connection to get my painter van a very cool wrap in exchange for a mural in his home.
This year has taught me how resistant my work ethic can be. I fully sacrificed any kind of disposable income to fully support my dream and it has been so worth it. I am unsure of what the next year holds if I will return to teaching and continue murals at the same time. I do know that I will never lose sight of always being an artist. Creating these murals is my purpose and service to others and at the end of the day, painting is the sustenance that keeps me nurturing myself.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road. I actually had my genesis of mural making right out of college alongside a partner. We were able to paint an entire indoor cycle studio for absolutely no cost. This kind of opportunity allowed us to explore the art of mural making without the pressures of a paying client. Sometimes you have to make some not so great art in order to make amazing pieces.
Once we dissolved our partnership, lost some friends, graduated art school, and finished the paint job, the loss of direction was overwhelming. I went into crisis not knowing how to decode this unknown transition. This is when I decided to change direction and focus on the roots of what helped me cope with my mental health in the first place. I remembered that art teacher that made me feel so safe and seen. That allowed me to sit in her office with her essential oils that calmed me down from a panic attack. This is when I knew it was time to obtain the teaching certification.
I am so passionate about the synchronicities between art and education. I believe you should never have to choose between two callings. I think it is possible to keep your personal passions alive and teach them to the next generation. Knowing I can make art has saved my life on more than one occasion, I will forever marry these two passions and if I have to be the first to show the world that I can make both careers happen at the same time I am happy to do so.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My overall vision has been to connect themes of street art with traditional views of fine art. Neon signs and bold graffiti tags have the purpose of grabbing the attention of consumers and informing. A painted still life represents an object stuck in time through a technique-heavy practice. Marrying these two concepts lets me combat the idea that “words don’t belong on a canvas”.
My commission specialty has been murals, paintings and drawings specifically with the neon effect that has coincided well with the themes of the clients. For example, the brewery wanted a scene of Big Bend National park. I was able to create the scene with a vintage “beer” sign they have and immerse it in the landscape. The glow effect represents my specialty as the artist and the sign represents the client’s services of beer making.
I am most proud of my adaptability as an artist. Yes, I have my own work that I want the world to eventually see. However, I feel my purpose in my career is serving my community through the collaboration of their personal interests in my artistic style. I feel this sets me apart from others because I don’t think collaboration has to compromise all of an artist’s intent.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Keeping my determination and existing out of spite has been the most important characteristics of my success.
I think the saying “people don’t remember what you said, they remember how you made them feel is very true”. I have had many friends and family be very supportive of my endeavors. But on the contrary, I have also had coworkers and teachers far into their career speak down to me. I’ve been told “Murals are not realistic to do full time” or “You look too young to be a teacher”. Not only did I have the credentials to achieve these career paths but I had already achieved the very jobs they told me I could not do. The proof was already there. If I had listened to this destructive criticism, I would not have gone on to create work at an even larger scale and as a full time job. I only hope to keep creating and bringing joy to my clients spaces and show the next generation to pursue their dreams despite what anyone says. Deep down we know what our purpose is.
Pricing:
- $50-80 per square foot interior
- $60-90 per square foot exterior
- free consultations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wrenmartin.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrenwillwepaint/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567204118833
