PHOTOSHOP

Jan now works mainly in Photoshop where the scope for collage methods is vast and exciting. She loves experimenting with textures and effects, and uses both photographic and self-generated material to create her imagery. She has the capacity to create a bizarre, sometimes surreal world of unexpected juxtapositions and perspectives that can surprise, disturb and illuminate. For editorial, advertising, publishing, and the web, it can provide a much-needed element of ambiguity and surprise.

COMMISSIONS

Collage methods provide a lot of scope for portraiture and caricature, and Jan has undertaken many commissions in this area for publications such as The Times, The Independent and The Guardian. She can work very quickly, has never missed a deadline, and has completed briefs in as little as six hours.

VECTOR IMAGES

Jan's digital skills also include vector image-making in Adobe Illustrator – which she has used for book illustration commissions, logo and flyer design - plus Graphic Design using Adobe Indesign in the production of books, flyers and exhibition materials.

PUBLICATIONS

Jan is also a writer. She has written and illustrated two children's books, and has published 3 books of poetry inspired by the landscapes and history of West Somerset – particularly the areas around the ancient harbour town of Watchet where she has lived for the past 7 years. The landscapes to be found along the Bristol Channel coast, and inland in areas such as the Quantocks, are particularly rich in imagery and local myth. They have inspired her recent publications “We Are Here Between” , “Behind the Veil” and “Woods, Ways and Waters”- 3 volumes of illustrated poetry that she wrote, illustrated and designed, and which indulge her love of the area and its stories.

“I have always been fascinated by myth symbolism, Jungian archetypes and dream imagery, and the way that fairy tales, dreams and archetypal imagery can illuminate the hidden workings of the mind. In rich and emotive language and imagery, these stories tell of the struggles and dangers that we encounter in our lives, and contain warnings and guidance. When we deal with these symbols on their own terms – on the level of our emotional responses - they can help our emotional growth and give us pointers to help with life's everyday problems. My image-making is always heavily influenced by these themes.”

JAN MARTIN

EXHIBITIONS & WORKSHOPS

As well as her digital work, Jan Martin also enjoys more craft-based processes, undertaking print commissions, and producing print-based work for exhibition and sale. These traditional methods also provide her with materials which she uses in her digital work and both approaches feed each other with inspiration, practical techniques and source material.

Jan also teaches bookbinding techniques, and has recently held a series of poetry writing workshops.