My Story as an Artist

You didn’t come this far to stop

I’ve always been drawn to creativity. It’s something that runs in my family, and I like to think my creative streak comes from my great‑grandmother, whose artistic spirit found its way into me long before I ever picked up a brush. Over the years I’ve explored tile mosaics, woodwork, resin, airbrushing, and traditional painting — each medium teaching me something different about texture, movement, and the power of color.

Color has always been my obsession. It’s the first thing I notice, the thing I chase, and the thing that guides nearly every piece I create. I’m fascinated by how colors interact, how they vibrate against each other, and how a single shift in tone can change the entire feeling of a piece. That obsession is at the heart of both my surfboards and canvas art.

The first time I went to Hawaii changed me in a way I didn’t expect. Something about the tropical air, the humidity, the ocean, and the explosion of natural color settled into me and never left. Whether I’m in Hawaii or the Cayman Islands, those environments bring me a sense of peace I try to pour into my work. My surfboards and canvases are reflections of that feeling — a blend of ocean energy, tropical warmth, and the calm that comes from being surrounded by vibrant, living color.

I also create abstract pieces that come from a different part of me — the part that loves bold shapes, unexpected ideas, and anything that feels fun, expressive, or makes a statement. My abstract work is where instinct takes over and color becomes the main character. I make an effort to grab it and run with it when the spirit moves me, and there’s no controlling when that happens, it just does.

Everything I make is rooted in authenticity, curiosity, and the joy of creating something that feels alive. My hope is that when people see my work, they feel even a small piece of the peace, energy, and color that inspires me.

Jeff L. Martin