COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus resident, artist, and EngineHouse13 founder Mike Martin says he tries to create something new each day — even if it’s just a simple cartoon character by hand.
But Martin’s true passion is creating rock art — the posters you see at concert venues and collected by millions across the country.
And although Martin is not a musician himself, he says this is his way of giving back.
“Can’t put my ideas or you know my thoughts into a song, you know into a sound, I just put it into something visual,” says Martin.
This is “The Art of Rock,” the book that opened Mike Martin’s eyes in the 1980’s. It’s fueled his passion ever since.
“It is everything from the very first advertising for music, all the way through the 70s and all the psychedelic,” says Martin.
Martin says he’s one of only two dozen people across the country who do this for a living full time. It’s a small fraternity, and there’s mutual admiration for each other’s work.
“It’s the simple things. I love your color palette, or how did you get that texture like that? You know, now its about the mechanics of it, as much as it is going wow that’s a sweet poster you know,” says Martin.
Martin’s artwork can be found at several bars across Columbus, including Grandview Heights’ Craft and Vinyl.
He’s currently exploring different avenues of creating art until live music returns to small clubs and large venues.
Martin doesn’t pull punches and offers this real advice for all the young ambitious artists hoping to enter the rock art industry.
“If your heart is in the right place and if you love music that much and you’re hungry to be a professional artist, just start within your local scene. And be prepared to grow a thick hide, because people will criticize the crap out of you a lot of the time. Which that’s part of it you know. Somebody tells you that you can’t do something, you do it anyway,” says Martin.
For more on Mike Martin or EngineHouse13, check out his website.
