Meet Jae Martin | Visual Manipulator (visual artist)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jae Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jae, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think this question is perfect for this time in my life. I honestly have always played it safe when it came to my art career. Unfortunately it took my mom becoming terminally ill for me to decide that life is too short and I need to take a chance on me and my art. Risking the safety net of a consistent pay check for a career that is not 100% consistent is definitely a big risk, but I use to that “being scared” factor as a driving force for continuing to spread love the Jae Martin way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Native to Philadelphia by way of Brooklyn, New York, I am self-taught pop artist who creates pieces with graffiti undertones inspired by the fast pace of city living. I create pieces that are far from the ordinary. Influenced greatly by the graffiti art style, I incorporate it into his work for due respect. To capture what he feels in the moment, I complete most of my pieces in only one day by using acrylics, sharpie oil markers, spray paint, and anything else I can get his hands on.

With the passing of my father, and my mother currently in hospice, I have decided failure is not an option. Many anecdotes shared by his father are used to add depth to the artwork. The love of life and enjoying it has been instilled in by my mom and that is a major part of my creative process. I want you to feel a sense of love when you gaze into my pieces. My parents are not my only influences. I have aligned myself with his close friends to help me make my mark on the world. They are my sounding boards, my motivation and and also keep me grounded. This funny thing called life is lacking lots of love. My art and brand is there to help spread love and hopefully that will start a chain reaction. We need love and color is my love language. Let me speak to you in the only way I know. Being creative.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When you come the Philly, you are in for a treat! Philly is know for art, food and fun, I am first taking you for the most delicious cheesesteak and no it’s not Pat’s or Geno’s. I am taking you to Pualie’s for a neighborhood cheesesteak. I am a firm believer that you will always find the best foods when you explore the neighborhoods and interact with the locals. After a great cheesesteak lets go to the Philly art Museum and take in some amazing art. While there are a few Philly folks in the museum this isn’t where the amazing art that represents Philly is. We will then need to find a tour of the land of murals. We are known for some extraordinary murals that will have your mouth on the floor. Philly is just a great to visit if you like to explore and interact with people that share the same love for art and being creative.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are quite a few people that are part of my journey that deserve major shout outs. For the most part my brothers have been behind me from day one of creating. They continue to this day to encourage me to make the best of my life and utilize my passion for creating to achieve what I want in life. My fiancé provides nothing but the utmost support for what I do, even when she thinks I am being that crazy art guy with off the wall ideas. And last but not least by any means my parents. My dad, God rest his soul, taught me the entrepreneurial spirit and my mom gave me the that kind, caring, love gene that is a huge part of my art career.

Website: www.jaemartin.com

Instagram: @jae_martin

Linkedin: Jae

Twitter: @jae_martin_art

Facebook: jae martin