POSTERS

Aaron Martin’s poster work combines his distinctive surrealist style with a deep sense of storytelling and attention to detail, making each poster a visual narrative that resonates with the event or artist it represents. Drawing from his love for mythology, folklore, and nature, Martin’s posters are designed to captivate audiences and provide a memorable visual identity for festivals, music events, and individual artists. His unique ability to weave elements of fantasy and nature into his posters has made him a sought-after designer in the music and festival scenes, where his work amplifies the atmosphere and energy of each event.

One of Martin’s most prominent and enduring poster collaborations has been with Deep Tropics, a sustainability-focused music and arts festival that takes place annually in Nashville. Martin worked with Deep Tropics to design posters that align with the festival’s eco-conscious ethos. His posters for Deep Tropics incorporate vibrant colors, lush greenery, and dreamlike depictions of natural and mythical elements, visually reflecting the festival’s emphasis on environmental awareness and connection with nature. 

For Americanafest 2023, a festival celebrating the roots of American music, Martin took a different approach, blending traditional Americana themes with his signature surrealism. His poster for the event integrates elements that pay homage to folk and country traditions, using warm, earthy tones and iconic imagery, such as guitars and nature-inspired patterns, to evoke the spirit of Americana music. Martin’s poster design for Americanafest reflects his respect for the genre’s heritage while giving it a fresh, contemporary edge. The artwork combines folk motifs with a hint of the surreal, creating a poster that celebrates the richness and depth of Americana music and invites attendees to explore the festival with a sense of wonder.

Martin’s collaboration with East Nashville Underground marked a significant period in his poster design career, as he developed pieces that captured the underground music scene’s eclectic and indie spirit. East Nashville Underground, known for its intimate, grassroots music showcases, provided Martin with the freedom to experiment with different visual styles that embodied the event’s unique character. His posters for East Nashville Underground often featured bold, contrasting colors, intricate linework, and mysterious, dream-like figures, creating a sense of intrigue around the events. This collaboration allowed Martin to hone his ability to design posters that felt like visual extensions of the underground music scene, capturing its raw energy and independent ethos in each piece.

Cold Lunch Presents, an independent music promoter, became another significant partnership for Martin, allowing him to produce posters that embodied the DIY spirit of Nashville’s indie music culture. Cold Lunch Presents frequently hosted events that spotlighted emerging artists across genres, and Martin’s posters served as a visual bridge between these diverse musical acts. His designs for Cold Lunch featured a combination of surreal characters, cosmic backgrounds, and vibrant color palettes, reflecting the creativity and unpredictability of the events. Martin’s posters for Cold Lunch became part of the brand’s identity, providing a visual consistency that music fans came to recognize and appreciate.

In addition to his festival and event collaborations, Martin has worked with individual artists to create posters that reflect each musician’s unique style and message. His collaboration with Rayland Baxter, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter known for his soulful, folk-rock sound, allowed Martin to create a poster that channels the introspective, emotional depth of Baxter’s music. For Baxter’s poster, Martin used earthy tones and intricate detailing, creating a visual that feels both grounded and whimsical, resonating with Baxter’s themes of nature, love, and human connection. Martin’s approach to designing for Baxter mirrors the artist’s songwriting style, crafting an image that is rich with texture and emotion.

Working with The Lone Bellow, a band known for their harmonies and Americana roots, Martin created posters that reflect the band’s intimate, soulful sound. His design for The Lone Bellow incorporates nature-inspired elements, such as trees and flowing water, along with a color palette that evokes warmth and nostalgia. Martin’s poster for The Lone Bellow feels almost like a folk tale brought to life, capturing the storytelling aspect of their music and inviting fans to connect with the deeper themes within their songs. By incorporating symbolic imagery, Martin’s work for The Lone Bellow visually represents the band’s musical journey and strengthens the connection between their art and their audience.

Martin’s collaboration with Okey Dokey extended beyond album artwork to include a series of posters that represent the band’s psychedelic, soul-infused sound. Okey Dokey’s music, which explores themes of fantasy, love, and introspection, aligns closely with Martin’s artistic vision, and his posters for the band reflect this synergy. Martin’s designs for Okey Dokey’s posters often feature fantastical landscapes, mythical creatures, and fluid lines that create a sense of movement and depth. Each poster feels like an invitation to step into Okey Dokey’s world, where music and art combine to create a unique, immersive experience for their fans.

For the Summerdaze Festival, a smaller festival with a focus on community and celebration, Martin designed posters that capture the laid-back, nostalgic feel of summer. His poster work for Summerdaze features soft, warm colors, beach-inspired motifs, and playful figures that evoke the festival’s relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Martin’s design approach for Summerdaze highlights his versatility as a poster artist, adapting his style to fit the festival’s vibe while maintaining his distinctive touch. The posters for Summerdaze convey a sense of joy and simplicity, inviting festival goers to embrace the spirit of summer and community.

Martin’s posters for The Russell J. Effros Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting arts and education, reflect his commitment to creating art with meaning and purpose. The foundation, which hosts events to raise funds and awareness for creative programs, allowed Martin to create posters that celebrate the transformative power of art. His designs for the foundation incorporate elements of education and creativity, using bright colors and engaging visuals to emphasize the foundation’s mission. Through these posters, Martin sought to inspire audiences and remind them of the positive impact of art and education.

Throughout his career, Martin’s poster work has become synonymous with visual storytelling, blending elements of surrealism, nature, and mythology into each piece. His ability to adapt his style to suit a wide range of events and artists while maintaining a distinct artistic voice has made him a valuable collaborator in the music and festival communities. Each poster is carefully crafted to reflect the essence of the event or artist, providing audiences with a visual experience that complements the music and atmosphere.

In creating posters, Martin approaches each project as an opportunity to capture the energy of an event, often using symbolic imagery and layered compositions to create depth and intrigue. His posters are designed to be more than just promotional materials; they are works of art in their own right, intended to draw viewers in and make a lasting impression. Martin sees his posters as extensions of the events they represent, adding a layer of visual storytelling that enhances the audience’s overall experience.

For Martin, poster design is a collaborative process, one that involves an understanding of the artist’s or event’s identity and a translation of that identity into a cohesive, captivating image. His posters not only capture the viewer’s attention but also encourage them to connect more deeply with the music or festival they represent. Whether designing for an indie show, a major festival, or a charity foundation, Martin’s poster work exemplifies his dedication to creating art that speaks to the soul of each project, bridging the gap between music, visual art, and community.

Ultimately, Martin’s posters serve as gateways to the worlds of the artists and festivals they promote, offering audiences a preview of the experiences that await. Through his use of intricate details, vibrant colors, and symbolic storytelling, Martin has elevated the art of poster design, turning each piece into a lasting part of the event’s legacy. His work has not only enriched the visual identity of the festivals and musicians he collaborates with but has also left a lasting impact on the communities that celebrate and support the arts.