Jeff Martin - Artist
Jeff Martin is a Melboune Artist represented by Gould Galleries in South Yarra and has a web presence at… www.jeffmartin.com.au Jeff has a show coming up soon at Gould Gallery, details at the galleries web site or Jeff’s.
Hi Jeff, do you have other than art you feel are important to mention?
I manage/own the Appleton Street Studios in Richmond Victoria.
What are the main medium/s you work in…
Mostly Oil on Linen and ink on paper, however I do enjoy playing with sculpture.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently involved in a series titled ‘Back of House’ where I spend one evening in a commercial restaurant kitchen during service sketching the chef’s at work. I then take my impressions back to my studio and on a large-scale canvas I convey the working environment of that space.
The work is not about celebrity chefs or food (all the plates on my paintings are empty) it is about the working environment of the professional kitchen.
In February/March of 2008 I exhibited fifteen large paintings of Melbourne restaurants as part of the Melbourne International Food Festival at Gould Galleries Melbourne. In October 2009 I will be showing fifteen Sydney restaurants as part of the inaugural Sydney International Food Festival by Gould galleries at Shapiro Gallery.
What fascinates you?
People.
One word or statement to describe your current works?
Daunting.
And a more descriptive outline on your current works…
This show is big, really big, my most ambitious yet. I don’t know how to give a descriptive out line that would convey the scale of this work, which represents 18 months of my life.
Why are you an artist?
I don’t know how not to be one.
How important is art for you?
It saved my life…. That’s important.
Your art education was…?
Is…. Art education never ends.
Sorry…. Being a smart ass.
All my important lessons have come from my interaction with working artists. People that lead by example and get the job done. Not all artists comprehend work ethic.
What did you do before or during becoming an artist?
Worked in restaurants.
Is there any one thing that has given you a big buzz in your art career so far?
I did an Artist in Schools residency through Arts Victoria in 2008, which was a ‘Big Buzz’. I also work every year with grade 3 and 4 kids to make a totem pole for their school fair, which is always a highlight of my year.
Does the “creative process” happen easily for you?
Yes, I draw every day, everywhere. It can cause issues.
Have you had any commissions? Any of note etc…
Yes I find commissions exciting; it must be a collaboration of sorts for it to have any chance of success. I understand why many artists run a mile… it can be tough going if you don’t sort out the rules at the start. Having a good gallery assist you is imperative.
Do you have much contact with other artists?
Yes, daily at the studio.
Any upcoming or completely new projects you want to talk about?
I will be exhibiting in Melbourne with Gould again in 2010 and have plans for 2011. It is really important to balance the project at hand with future planning and know that when it is done, you’re not.
Working towards an exhibition, is it a daunting task?
No, it’s all planning. However I did earlier describe my current exhibition as daunting but I think that’s just the idea of starting it all over again.
Some say the lifespan of many “artists” post educationally is about five years, any thoughts on that?
Bullshit how…. Lifespan? They need more education.
If you could have any piece of artwork in your personal collection, what would it be and why?
I already have it. Well, I am getting it back from the framers today.
Do you keep an Art Journal or Visual Diary of some kind?
Yes, I have many sketchbooks. You can see some of them on www.jeffmartin.com.au under works on paper. I will post more before the October exhibition.
What happens to works that “don’t work out”?
It all works out, it just might not have been resolved yet.
One thing you wish you had listened to from an art teacher or lecturer?
I have a teacher say to me “Art is Not a Career” If you look over my visual diaries you will see this comes up time and time again. It can be taken a number of ways and I like to watch people’s reaction when they first read it. (btw the teacher was being negative)
Do you have a personal philosophy that underpins your work?
Work hard.
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Compiled and edited by Steve Gray © 2009+
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