Meet Vickie Martin

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Vickie Martin again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Vickie, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
I am a mixed media artist using music as inspiration. When I was the caregiver for my mother, who had dementia, I began to notice the effect music always had on the patients.. Not only would music improve their mood immediately, but it seemed to improve their ability to communicate. Since my initial interview there has been a lot of research into the power of music, so that is why I have continued using music as my inspiration.
In the past, my paintings were always identified as the painting with texture, I love the tactile effect this gives.. However,in 2024 I realized I wanted to explore more. So – I began using collage as my primary medium.
2024 was a BIG year for learning and exploring a medium I had only experimented in the past.

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
After experimenting for most of 2024, I began a library of paper I created to use in collages..
Creating my own paper doesn’t mean I’m making paper from scratch, but I start with different kinds of paper and apply paint in layers, using things like stencils, stamps, alcohol – both adding and scratching off layers. So many things become a tool for mark-making. In fact, the kitchen drawer is a treasure trove of mark making implements – nothing is off limits. Things destined for the trash make marks, from bubble wrap to rubber bands. I use toilet paper rolls to make circles, or put rubber bands around them and make a unique roller.. Other things to use as stamps to make marks are vegetables and leaves from outside. While it is great fun, it is also an exercise of seeing other uses for mundane things and always keeps me alert for possibilities.
All of this experimentation took a toll, as this was “fun” I was having alone in my studio. So, I decided to begin 2025 with the same curiosity and love of experimentation, but to also get involved in a few local groups,

Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.

Favorite Movie: Local Hero – (1983 – Bill Forsyth – (Scottish director)

Favorite Book: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Favorite TV Show: Sherlock

Favorite Band or Artist: Bowie

Sweet or Savory: Savory

Mountains or Beach: Mountain

Favorite Sport (to watch): Cycling

Favorite Sport (to play): walking

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): swimming

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Pianist

French Fries or Onion Rings: Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: neithr

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Fractured fairy tales

Favorite Childhood movie: The Sword in the Stone

Favorite Breakfast Food: Blueberry Pancakes

When you look back on your life, what are three things you expect to be proud of?
I have always given back to the community and will continue to do so. Some of the highlights include:
– working on 18 home for Habitat for Humanity as a trainer supervisor – even working on two blitz builds (one time we built 10 homes in 10 days)
– I also did a three day walk and raised a few thousand dollars for Breast Cancer Research.
– Recently I have been working with people with dementia making art projects.

Website: https://vickiemartin.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickiemartinarts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vmartinarts

Image Credits
Joel Conison