Natural History and, in 1976, partnered with
C.D. Hancock to begin publishing his wildlife
paintings through Wren’s Nest Gallery, Inc.
“The flip side of the creative part of art, in
this day and age, is how to make it work into
a business world,” he says. “So you have to
do some things that are totally alien to my
personality.”
Considering Martin’s background in science
and mathematics, Martin says it’s a special
challenge to get past the analytical mindset.
“If you’ve been taught for years to analyze
in everything you do, second guess, and
go back and retest, all of that inhibits the
creativity,” he says. “You’re supposed to let
your subconscious take over when you start
painting or drawing and really dominate
what comes out of the picture.”
Honors and
Accomplishments
• Listed in “Who’s Who in American Art”
• Included in Goldblatt’s “Artists of the
Century”
• Received Meritorious Service Award,
National Audubon Society
• Presented Key to the City, Birmingham, AL
• Only artist to receive the “Living for America”
Award, for his efforts in conservation
• Licensed Larry K. Martin images appear on
hundreds of products, including greeting
cards, murals, knives, calendars, plaques,
apparel, coasters, table accessories, checks,
and more than 175 different collectibles by
The Bradford Exchange
While finding a compromise between
science and art may be challenging, Martin
says “there is some balance of pros and cons
of the two different extremes.” His scientific
background does provide some advantage
in his quest for anatomical correctness in his
paintings. “Especially if you’re trying to paint
with realism and with acrylic,” he says. “In the
back of your mind, there’s always that need
to avoid mistakes… it’s hard to backtrack
with acrylics.” things… It’s a weakness but it helps
sometimes.”
Patience is key in Martin’s work as a wildlife
artist. “I always say I know I’m patient
because I’ve had to be to live with myself
this long,” he says with a smile. “Everyday I
find myself in a situation that I have to really
be patient with myself.” From losing things
to overlooking things that need to be done,
Martin says time doesn’t exist for him, it
floats. “I really do subconsciously disregard
time for the most part,” he says. “I’ve gotten
really good at [compartmentalizing] to
the point that I’ll forget all of these other “I even forget, at this stage, to ask the
question ‘Is this thing I’m thinking about, is it
important? How important? And to whom?
And why?’” Martin says usually things reduce
down when you allow yourself to answer
those questions. He says he sometimes
reminds himself that what he does is fun,
and it’s supposed to be fun. “I have to tell
myself this is the most important painting
I’ve done or ever will do, even though deep
down I know it’s not. That way you can pay
attention to what you’re doing and then you
INSIGHT
• Corporate collections include General
Dynamics, Pacific Telesis, Chick Fil A
Corporate Offices and those of Wells Fargo,
Regions, Farmers and Merchants and
Noble Banks, and the Tennessee bankers
Association boardroom
January 2018 33