Martin’s mural journey began in the vibrant arts community of Nashville, where his work quickly gained recognition for its unique style and immersive quality. One of his early projects, a commission for The Basement East, marked a turning point in his career. This space allowed him to experiment with large-scale visuals, filling the walls with bold, psychedelic motifs that mirrored the eclectic energy of Nashville’s music scene. The mural’s impact resonated with both local musicians and fans, and Martin’s signature style became a staple of the venue, setting the tone for future collaborations in Nashville and beyond. Martin has also collaborated with high-profile clients like Red Light Management and Fieldhouse Jones Hotel, where he worked on murals that reflect each brand’s identity while adding his own creative touch. His mural for Fieldhouse Jones in particular brought his nature-inspired themes into a chic, urban hotel setting, incorporating lush botanical elements and hidden animal figures to create a mural that invites viewers to discover new details with each look. Martin’s experience with clients across different industries has enabled him to develop a versatile approach, creating murals that feel both authentic to his style and tailored to each client’s vision.
Expanding into public art, Martin collaborated with Nashville Parks and Recreation for Cleveland Park, where he created an inviting, nature-inspired mural that pays homage to the community’s connection to the outdoors. Here, he utilized themes from Appalachian folklore and Native American symbolism, combining fluid lines with earth tones to create a visual story of unity with nature. His approach to these park projects reflects his deep respect for nature and his desire to make public spaces both beautiful and meaningful. Each mural Martin creates for public parks aims to remind viewers of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, inviting people of all ages to see their environment as a dynamic space rich with history and life. In addition, the Standing Stone Historical Society commission allowed Martin to create a mural deeply rooted in the local history and folklore of the area. Drawing on his background in Native American and Appalachian mythology, Martin crafted a mural that honored the community’s heritage, incorporating symbols and stories unique to the region. His attention to historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity helped him create a piece that resonated with locals, giving the community meaningful artwork that celebrated their shared history.
The Keith Urban Graffiti U Mural Campaign is another notable project that helped Martin expand his artistic reach and refine his technique. Partnering with Urban for his 2018 album launch, Martin developed a mural series inspired by the themes of Urban’s album. For Martin, this project was both a creative challenge and an opportunity to merge his own style with Urban’s country-rock ethos. The campaign, which placed murals across various Nashville locations, gave Martin’s work visibility in high-traffic areas, bringing his unique style to new audiences. Martin’s work for the Graffiti U campaign fused his love for storytelling with Urban’s musical themes, offering passersby an interactive experience as they encountered the artwork. Additionally, Martin contributed to the Deep Tropics Festival at Bicentennial Park, where he designed multiple murals to enhance the festival’s immersive atmosphere. This festival-focused mural work allowed Martin to explore themes of tropical mythology and environmentalism, incorporating vibrant colors, lush plant life, and dynamic animal figures. Each mural served as a visual echo of the festival’s emphasis on sustainability and connection to nature, encouraging viewers to consider their own relationship with the environment. Martin’s ability to tailor his artwork to resonate with each event’s theme has made him a favored collaborator in the festival circuit, where his murals become part of the shared festival experience. In the festival circuit, Martin’s murals have become iconic backdrops for music festivals like the Bonnaroo Music Festival, Deep Tropics Music, Art, and Style Festival, Centennial Park Music Festival, Athens Of The South, and the East Nashville Underground Music Festival. These festivals provide a unique platform for Martin to experiment with scale and color, transforming large spaces into scenes that feel mythic and otherworldly. His murals at Bonnaroo, for example, capture the festival’s ethos of community and creativity, with images that range from cosmic landscapes to playful creatures. Martin views each festival mural as an opportunity to create art that enhances the collective experience, adding depth and meaning to the festival environment.
At Little Harpeth Brewery, Martin crafted a mural that speaks directly to Nashville’s vibrant, community-oriented spirit. This mural combines his love for folklore with playful depictions of local wildlife and beer culture, adding a touch of whimsy to the brewery’s atmosphere. His mural at Little Harpeth is designed to feel approachable, inviting visitors to pause and explore the detailed scenes that unfold across the walls. Through his work at local breweries and distilleries, Martin hopes to create environments where people feel comfortable and inspired, where art becomes a natural extension of the community’s daily life. Additionally, The Mobile Mural Project was another groundbreaking venture for Martin, who saw it as an opportunity to bring art to communities that might not normally encounter large-scale murals. This project, where murals were painted onto a recommissioned school bus, allowed him to reach a diverse audience across different neighborhoods and cities. Martin used themes that would resonate with various communities, creating pieces that highlighted local culture and folklore. The project reinforced Martin’s belief in the accessibility of art, showing that murals could create a shared cultural experience regardless of a community’s location.
Martin’s work with local businesses like Chrysalis Fine Dining, Halcyon Bike Shop, and Tournament Studios illustrates his versatility as a muralist who can adapt his style to fit a wide range of venues. At Chrysalis Fine Dining, he incorporated elements of Art Nouveau to create a mural that reflected the restaurant’s elegant atmosphere, bringing an added layer of sophistication and visual storytelling to the dining experience. For Halcyon Bike Shop, he opted for a more playful approach, featuring an explorer journeying through a surreal jungle that teamed with whimsical characters. These commercial murals demonstrate Martin’s ability to bring his unique visual storytelling to businesses, transforming spaces into memorable destinations. Another standout project was his mural for Oz Arts, a multidisciplinary arts center where Martin’s work was featured as part of a broader initiative to make contemporary art more accessible. The mural blended surrealism with environmental motifs, including lush plant life and mystical creatures, creating a welcoming environment for visitors. This partnership with Oz Arts allowed Martin to explore a blend of installation and mural work, inviting viewers into a fully immersive experience where they could lose themselves in his surreal, mythic universe. At the Queen Ave Art Collective, Martin collaborated with other artists to produce a mural that embodies the creative spirit of East Nashville. This piece, designed as a collaborative mural, combines Martin’s surreal style with the diverse influences of other local artists, resulting in a patchwork of styles that celebrates the community’s artistic diversity. The Queen Ave mural represents Martin’s belief in art as a communal experience, a place where different voices come together to create something that reflects the broader cultural landscape.
