Meet Jay Martin | Director of Strategy & Visual Artist

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

Hi Jay, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Everything in life is risk analysis. The reward should of course outweigh the risk, let’s be clear. Risk helps you conquer fears and if you succeed gives you a boost of confidence. Through risk-taking, we grow in numerous ways and improve our chances of achieving future goals. Regarding my career, it was a risk for me to showcase my artwork to friends, family, and unknown people. Open to receiving honest feedback, criticism, and comprehension. I was surprised by the number of collectors who purchased my work and wanted to hang it in their most intimate settings—people who were serious buyers/collectors that acquire work at large auction houses like Christie’s.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My passion for art was sharpened while studying at Bard College in New York. I intend to give a different viewpoint on how people interpret art or many aspects of life for that matter. My technique includes obtaining a visual history of the subject such as images, letters, articles, magazine covers, and song lyrics. I saw a way of conveying the many layers and complexities of his subjects. I like to create pieces that make people truly take time to digest the art piece and appreciate the many layers. Assemble layers in a way that creates mood-provoking vibrant art that gives the pieces their incredible depth.

I was able to sell a few pieces to friends while living in NYC, then a solo art show, social media, a museum, and art galleries. It is never easy to sell an art piece therefore I am always humbled when someone appreciates the work enough to purchase and place it in their workspace or home.

I want to world to know that I feel accomplished with every piece of work I create knowing that it will outlast me. That a sense of pride mixed with humbleness knowing that someone or an institution thought the pretty penny was well worth it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Visit the High Museum

Sit Courtside at a Hawks Game

Dinner at Yebo

Drinks at Spaceman

Brunch at The Chastain

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Many people deserve recognition for my story. My grandparents for creating the true foundation and example of what a family should look like. My Aunt for always challenging me to be a risk-taker. My father for raising me as a single parent and never missing any event small or large. Susan Johnson for believing in my art and placing me in a position for my art to be showcased. Rose for being at the inception of my art journey when I was trying to figure out myself and my style.

I also have a group of black men entrepreneurs called Young Mavens Society that I meet with regularly. It is a collective of gentlemen that are in various fields leading the way. We push each other to achieve goals and lean on each other for help when attempting to reach those goals.

Book: The Art of Innovation

Website: www.jmartin3.com

Instagram: just.jm3

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-martin3/

Other: Images for ShoutOut use: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zDNd2t4RA3RAyMdX9

Image Credits
Mshon Pulliam