My Inspiration

Shirley Martin
Artist
IT Project Manager

From an early age, I had a creative nature that was inadvertently nurtured by my mother. There were no boundaries to my artistic endeavors, as I wrapped the family Christmas presents with vibrant paper, voluminous bows and remnants of coiled ribbons; painted the walls of my bedroom with UV glow paint; crafted three-story doll houses from Sears Roebuck catalogues and shoeboxes; and took Easter eggs coloring to new levels. I loved to sketch foliage, animals, people and fashion outfits. In high school, I honed my skills by taking advanced art classes. In college, I immersed myself in painting and sketching courses before ultimately earning a degree in computer science, where I channeled my creativity into building computer applications.

Years later, when I couldn’t find the perfect piece of artwork for a space above my fireplace mantel, I created an abstract floral painting with just the right colors inspired by a photo I found in Readers Digest. This endeavor rekindled my love of painting. I find great satisfaction in watching a vision or idea gradually materialize. The Hat Ladies was inspired from precious childhood memories of my grandmother selecting fancy Sunday hats from massive, colorful round boxes. The cubism paintings, Shades and Textures, reflect my family, my community and my life experiences. They express the beauty that is evident in the almost endless array of complexions and hair textures.

While spending time at my friend’s cottage in Idlewild, I reflected on the similarities of our childhood vacations in the 60’s and 70’s. Idlewild with its crystal-clear lakes and sandy beaches was a summer oasis for African-Americans. My family traveled to South Carolina and vacationed on what remained of my grandparent’s farm, where the fruit seemed sweeter and the grass seemed greener. Each embodies the nostalgia of beloved African-American summer destinations, which I depict in several of my paintings.