now teaches free art classes for veterans at the Jepson Center and the Savannah Vet Center in Savannah, Georgia. With Martin’s help, many veterans have been able to better transition back to civilian life through art.
Martin's paintings feature culturally significant themes: African American historical figures, education and the advancement of women, and self improvement. When Martin first came to Savannah he was fascinated by the eagles and their quiet, easy power, he says. He wanted to capture the Savannah marsh from their perspective: flying high and flying solo. The painting featured on the Summer Quarterly entitleld "Solo" embodies his emotions and, he says, "causes me reflect, not just on the painting but why the impact of self expression is so extraordinarily necessary."
Contact information:
www.kennethmartinart.com
[Images used on front cover, page 2 and back cover: Kenneth Martin, Solo. Oil paint on canvas, 16 x 20 in.]
Featured Artist:
Kenneth Martin
Kenneth Martin is a self-taught artist with a mission: teaching art to help others discover their own potential. He is an oil painter and portrait artist.
Martin’s journey in art began when he was involved in a car accident in 1965 at 21 years old that left him a quadriplegic. After the accident, he began art therapy to help recover, but he really didn’t see it that way. Martin actually found that painting added another dimension to who he was and after that experience he sought to help others find new dimensions and abilities that they have yet to explore.
Volunteering initially for the Veterans Administration, he