image features ‘Jungle’ print – illustrated by Marc Martin
Today we chat with picture-book maker and prolific illustrator Marc Martin as he prepares for his first ever FK stall at our Melbourne market this weekend.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to begin your label.
Originally I trained as a graphic designer, but I slowly found myself being drawn to illustration (no pun intended!). Over the years I’ve published books through Penguin/Random House in Australia, and internationally through Templar and Chronicle publishers in the UK and US. Now I split my time between making picture-books and various other illustration projects.
image features Marc working in his studio
image features various prints – illustrated by Marc Martin
image features ‘Birds’ print – illustrated by Marc Martin
Who inspires you and your creative process?
My inspiration always changes. I used to be influenced by a lot of illustrators and designers, but now I’m probably more interested in contemporary painting. If I had to name some early inspiration, I’d say all of Miroslav Sasek’s work, his book series were very influential, as was Jennie Baker’s ‘Where The Forest Meets The Sea’. Studying graphic design also gave me an appreciation for modernist art and design, so Ray and Charles Eames, Bruno Munari, Saul Bass and Charley Harper are some of my favourites.
Tell us something exciting that you have planned for Marc Martin this year.
I’ll be working on a couple more picture books this year. I don’t want to give too much away, but one book is based on a true story of a shipwrecked cabin boy, and the other is about imagination and possibilities.
image features ‘island’ print – illustrated by Marc Martin
image features farms print – illustrated by Marc Martin
image features Underthesea print – illustrated by Marc Martin
Name one resource that your label could not live without.
My watercolour paints and paintbrushes! I use them every day to draw little observations and paint scenes in my notebook. Without them I wouldn’t be able to create my images.
Tell us about your favourite product from your collection.
I really like the Reykjavik houses print. It’s the perfect balance of space, colour and pattern.
marcmartin.bigcartel.com
instagram.com/marcmartinillo
image features ‘reykjavik’ print – illustrated by Marc Martin