Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Barnds
Hi Martha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From my earliest memories, art has always played a huge role in my life. My parents say they always knew I would be an artist. At the age of three, I would spend hours drawing and coloring at my little table. By five, I was setting up still lifes of my play kitchen fruit. For Christmas, that year, I asked for an easel and also a beret because as I explained to my parents, “That’s what artists wear.” I wanted the world to look at me and know what I knew on the inside: I would be an artist someday, too.
In kindergarten I interviewed with a local, independent art instructor in Davenport, Iowa, where I presented my art portfolio full of still lifes and self-portraits. I was fortunate enough to be able to take 12 years of private art lessons with my mentor and art teacher, Pat Bereskin. Mrs. B taught me everything I know about art, giving me the opportunity to experiment with a wide variety of subject matter and material. By the age of 13, I sold my first commission and have been developing my individual art style ever since. By encouraging and nurturing my passion for art, Mrs. B helped to instill in me the confidence to continue with art in my young adult and professional life.
Today, I am a junior at Saint Louis University, where I am pursing a degree in the areas of Art History & Communications along with a minor in Studio Art. I feel very fortunate to reside for nine months a year in a city rich with art and culture, and have taken advantage of several art opportunities within the St. Louis area. I am currently serving as a Museum Educator Fellow at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. It is there that I have had the opportunity to explore the museum world and engage with the STL community about art. I am very passionate about the art museum world, and would love to advance professionally within it. As an advocate for accessibility to the arts, I plan to continue sharing my love and passion for art alongside the public.
My art is constantly evolving, and it is difficult to describe my journey in so few words. Currently, my favorite medium is watercolor, although I recently began printmaking, which has quickly become an incredible art form that has filled me with joy. I most recently opened an Etsy shop (a big step for me) to offer my custom watercolor paintings and prints. I hope to expand my shop and continue painting and printing much more in the near future. Following the path that I began as a young child, I plan to continue experimenting with my art style and exploring and learning new things.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As an artist, I often go through phases of creativity. Some phases are incredibly inspiring, full of artistic motivation and creativity, while other phases leave me in a complete art block, unable to muster up any motivation. Following my 12 years of art lessons and college portfolio reviews that included sometimes harsh constructive criticism of my artwork, I took a bit of a break. During this time period, art didn’t feel fun, and no longer had the allure of joy I felt as a child. Instead, art felt incredibly academic, forcing me to act as a perfectionist, never satisfied with what I had completed. This break from art lasted about a year, and afforded me the opportunity to successfully transition to college at SLU.
I soon found that this hiatus also helped me to rediscover my love of creating and joy viewing art. In the fall of my sophomore year of college, I credit a Color Theory class as being that spark that reignited my passion for art. Fortunately, I quickly entered a phase of creativity and artistic motivation after years of art block. I owe this to my art professor, Song Watkins-Park, who inspired me to try art from the basics and not put so much pressure on myself to reach perfection. I felt so much freedom having the opportunity to explore with color and shape, the very basics of art.
As an artist, it can feel incredibly frustrating to experience art block. Unfortunately, it can deter many people from the practice of art completely. My experience dealing with art block taught me not to try to force creativity, but to just give it time and allow for a reset every once in a while. Even while studying art in college, I have found art to be an outlet for emotion, creativity, and sometimes silliness, just allowing myself to let it all out.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most frequently commissioned to create original watercolor commissions of dog portraits or houses. I find it incredibly rewarding to create something so personal and meaningful to my clients who will cherish their paintings for years to come.
Watercolor is my favorite medium. Many find it intimidating as it can have a mind of its own and be very unforgiving. I personally love the pastel colors and how I can move the paint around so effortlessly. I have recently explored printmaking, particularly linocuts, which have allowed me to experiment with different subject matters, colors, and textures. I plan to continue my studies of and experiences with printmaking in the very near future and can see that being just as important to me as my watercolor work.
Additionally, I share my creativity through social media, both professionally and personally. I enjoy photography and creating videos reflecting my travels, experiences, and personal life. My desire to share art through outlets such as museum education and social media reflects my passion and appreciation for art.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
In my 20 years of life, I have never eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (And I don’t have allergies.)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MarthaBarndsArt
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha.barnds.art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560946388987
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-barnds
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/martha.barnds
