Resident Artist

We are proud to host the beautiful oil paintings of Kyle Martin

Kyle is interested in observing and painting the effect of light falling on the landscape. His work is created outdoors, painted en plein air, taking direct inspiration from the subject. By using color to show atmosphere, he will often return to the same location to capture different moods of the same scene. His luminous paintings are created with active brushwork and broken color.

Martin has always enjoyed creating. He became interested in painting while attending Webb High School, in Reedsburg. He studied graphic design, illustration and painting at Madison Area Technical College. During an art school field trip to Chicago, Martin attended an exhibition of paintings by the Post Impressionists. The works of these artists spoke to him. Their perceptions of the landscape, as well as the sense that they were painting strictly for themselves – to speak of their own experiences – appealed to him.

After college, Martin worked as a graphic designer and started his own business, a brick and mortar skateboard shop named Black Squirrels. His day to day tasks included designing and silk screening his own line of skateboard decks as well as filming and producing local skateboard videos.

In college, Martin was encouraged to paint from life and to take risks with color, but he knew that it was going to be a long journey to creating honest works. “Color was always my main concern. I knew I could not paint part time and learn about the palette, so I waited until I could paint every day.” Martin has averaged a painting every day since 2008. He has toured the museums as well as painted on location in France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Martin was also a guest artist on the 2011 Sauk County Fall Art Tour. Each year this event draws visitors from all over the country to artists’ studios tucked away in the scenic hills in and around Wisconsin’s art communities. During the three-day tour, artists will be in their studios, demonstrating and selling their work. Martin is very excited to be a part of this premier event.

For the first time ever in 2011, Taliesin Preservation Inc., hosted eighteen professional artists from Wisconsin, who painted on the Taliesin estate from June 15th to August 15th. Martin was chosen by Taliesen Preservation Inc. as a featured artist invited to paint on the grounds of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, Taliesen, this summer. The Taliesen Preservation Inc. was created to preserve the buildings, artifacts, landscape, and legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin. Martin created plein air paintings on the grounds to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the property, and a chosen piece will be included in a gala auction to benefit the Preservation efforts.

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All of Kyle’s paintings are made with professional oil paint on stretched canvas. These paintings will last many lifetimes and will become a true family heirloom. His work is always on display and available for purchase in Blue Heron.