Visual Arts
Artist Profile: Martin Sexton Sheringham-based artist Martin Sexton has just finished a large landscape painting of the harvest at Gressenhall. As he talks about his work, you can feel his passion for what he does. 'I really enjoyed painting the horses and each blade of straw,' he smiles. 'The painting has a warm summery feel to it that reminds me of harvest time as a child.' Growing up, Martin discovered early on that he loved to draw. 'I used pen or pencil and spent hours sketching the countryside or creating pictures of cowboys, indians and horses,' recalls Martin.
'I decided to focus on watercolour because I felt that if I could manage that, I could paint in anything,' says Martin. 'It wasn't long before I fell in love with the medium and my paintings went from strength to strength. There's nothing better than the feeling you get when you sit down with a clean sheet of paper and you pick up your paintbrush for the first time.' At first Martin struggled to find inspiration but it wasn't long before he began to spot potential all around him. 'Now everything I see inspires me,' laughs Martin. 'I love the Norfolk landscape - the salt marshes, the open skies, the reflections you find in muddy creeks. Martin has a studio at home in Sheringham which doubles up
He was often joined by local lad John Jackson who went on to became a prestigious artists whose linocuts are legendary. 'John and I met at school in Briston, Norfolk where we grew up,' says Martin. 'I can remember the two of us getting together to make and decorate a crown for the local village beauty queen competition.' As the years passed, Martin was to follow John - who is two years his senior - to Norwich School of Art where the two men shared ideas and swapped advice. 'After college we even ended up working together as graphic designers at Boulton & Paul in Norwich,' says Martin. After leaving Boulton & Paul, Martin worked at Eastern Counties Newspapers before finally becoming senior designer at Jarrold's. But as the years passed, Martin began to miss painting. Eventually he decided to dip his toe in the water of traditional painting while also becoming freelance as a designer for Jarrold's to ensure the bills would still be paid.
as a gallery. Visitors are encouraged to come and view his paintings and also watch him work. 'I'm more than happy for people to watch and learn from me,' says Martin. 'I often wish I could have sat and looked over someone's shoulder when I was younger and I'm happy to pass on what I've learnt.' Martin also gives talks at various art groups and tutors small groups of two or three artists.'I like to teach small classes and have the time to focus on each individual artist,' says Martin. 'Sometimes I teach in my studio or we go out and about painting what we see.' Martin is available for commissions. His gallery includes original paintings, prints, cards and calendars and is well worth a visit.
www.martinsexton-artist.co.uk October 2015 | 11