About the Artist
Welcome. I am an experienced multidisciplinary British artist, photographer and picture framer currently based in Hautes-Pyrénées, in Southern France.
My mission is to place my artwork with the right collectors who appreciate it and to share the stories and thinking behind the work.
Inspired by Trees, Campfires and Time
I am passionate about exploring ideas and creating art in collaboration with nature, where I take much inspiration.
Here I am making a piece of art entitled “Peacetime: An Oak Tree Rubbed” in Rockingham, England. A unique performance drawing / rubbing of an oak tree featuring my ‘yoga clock’ motif.
This clock without hands or numbers; without any moving parts suggests a letting go of time; a still point or place outside of time; which, I strongly believe is a good headspace to make art from.
The ‘yoga clock’ motif is symbolic and represents creative freedom. It was a natural choice for the logo for Kenny Martin Art.
Inspired by Wild Camping
Here I am photographing large and medium format simultaneously at night whilst wild camping on the Isle of Skye in Western Scotland.
Inspiration comes easily on Skye and the remote Hebridean islands. I photographed till past 5.30am in the morning waiting for the light to sit just right. The midges were terrible and I wore a mosquito head net for much of the night!
Being patient and persevering I was eventually rewarded with “Peacetime: An Oak Tree with Candles” – which is one of my most memorable long exposure photographs.
My First Art Sales
I first sold original artwork at my solo exhibition of New Blue Work at The Myrioscope Gallery in Brighton.
This body of conceptual work was concerned with blurring the division between painting and sculpture, displaying the canvas off the wall; extending the language of painting out into the gallery space. I got lucky and before the title bars went up two pieces were sold to a local collector!
One piece entitled “Greedy Bastard” consisted of a cobalt blue painted, custom shaped canvas with a bite taken out of it. This was contrasted with 16 home baked Crispie Flakemeal Biscuits – an old family recipe of my grandmothers.
I have since sold a lot of art online and shipped prints all over the world to collectors in Scotland, England, France, Spain, Germany, Finland, Greece, Australia, USA, Japan and Hong Kong.
DJ Kenny – Inspired by Music
I had to include a picture of myself at the turntables on my about page! Here I am DJ Kenny still going strong at 51. I love playing and sharing my collection of funk, soul, disco, dance vinyl.
I mixed records at Journeyman Project Art events and launch parties in London and Brighton alongside a host of other artists and DJ’s. We had a regular midweek night with Milk at The Bricklayers Arms in Old Street and one time at the Whitechapel Arts Club in London. We got kicked off the midweek slot because we turned a quiet night into a weekend night – the music was so varied and hot – no one would leave the bar!
This image was taken at a recent summer garden party at the local bar ‘Au Cochon Joyeux’ in the next village of Galan, Hautes-Pyrénées, France. I am delighted to say that everyone still loves the music that I play.
Art Practice
Practising art and photography helps to sustain me as a person living my life. That’s what art is to me; a sustenance, a nourishing activity.
I love working with the camera, respecting and capturing nature; sometimes with subtlety, other times creating a contrast of a calm scene coupled with a dynamic contrasting mark.
Join My Art Collector Circle
To stay in the loop sign up to my Art Collector Circle.
You will be the first to know when a new limited edition print, book or collection of work is released, thus ensuring you never miss out.
Available artwork includes mainly collector-quality photography, prints on metal and acrylic; but also original art, painting, drawing, sculpture and unique items – in a range of sizes and formats to transform and enhance your space.
All of the artwork is taken from my personal fine art practice and projects. You won’t find any commercial work here.
I thank you for visiting my site and hope the work resonates with you.
Best wishes, Kenny
Kenny Martin Art
