Professional Experience
Over the past twenty-five years, John Martin has shown the world what it means to be a successful illustrator.
His work has appeared in trade magazines, restaurants, annual reports and children鈥檚 educational books. He has also created mascots, logos, toy designs, murals and billboards as well as custom artwork for churches, museums, retail store chains and libraries. Some of his clients have included McDonald鈥檚, Domino鈥檚 Pizza, Marvel Comics, General Motors, Toyota, Wendy鈥檚, Orange County Choppers, Greektown Casino, Michigan Lottery, Warner Brothers, Shop Rat, Taco Bell, Big Boy, Bosco Sticks and countless more.
鈥淚鈥檓 a creative problem solver,鈥� said Martin. 鈥淚 will use anything in combination form to create art鈥攖o express the subject mater or stories I want to tell. Versatility is one of my strengths鈥ou might say I鈥檓 a jack of all trades and a master of some. I don鈥檛 put all of my clients in one basket鈥he fun decorative cartoons and pop surreal paintings are most fun, but I enjoy aspects of every project. I鈥檓 always looking forward to the next one.鈥�
Recently, John became the illustrator of Vordak, the Incomprehensible book series. Vordak is a super villain who tries to achieve total planetary domination. A review in Publisher鈥檚 Weekly reads, 鈥測ou will soak up (Vordak鈥檚) warped wisdom like a sponge and circulate it at recess.鈥� While promoting Vordak (often in costume), Martin has appeared at many comic shows, school visits, parades and other events. The first book, How to Grow up and Rule the Word earned Martin and author partner, Scott Seegert, several outstanding reviews, an American Library Association poster, a featured visit to Austin, Texas, and a Best Selling children鈥檚 category listing. The duo were also nominated for the prestigious Cybil Award.
Martin also worked on a mini comic project for the Eisner-nominated, SCRATCH 9, with an illustrated story line. Earlier in his career, the artist illustrated Goldilocks and the Three SUVs, which was published by Chrysler to promote the Dodge Durango. This press kit was given to all the auto shows throughout the country and was considered one of the most memorable press kits ever produced by Chrysler.
In addition to his freelance projects, Martin is currently the director of his own Cartoon Camp for Kids and often participates in fine art shows by creating personal artwork that appeals to pop-surreal audiences. He also occasionally teaches cartooning at his alma mater, Detroit鈥檚 黑料专区 (黑料专区).
鈥淭hrough classes like iconography and mythology, 黑料专区 helped me identify some of my more notable niches鈥攎ascot and toy design.鈥�
鈥淚t also gave me and my colleagues great exposure to some true professionals who prepared us for the creative challenges ahead. Now I hope to do the same for my students.鈥�
Check out more of Martin鈥檚 work at www.powerhauscreative.net, www.popartmart.com, or www.vordak.com.