Meet Carrie Martin | Owner, Carrie Martin Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carrie Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carrie, what do you attribute your success to?
While “peersonal” connection (connecting with peers) and a commitment to a disciplined work schedule make up the foundational structure for success for me, I think it’s my ability to give back to my community in service/leadership roles.

I served my community in 2024 by applying for and getting selected as a 40 West Ambassador, a volunteer position that primarily involved opening, managing and closing the 40 West Gallery in the 40 West Hub on the second Friday of each month in 2024. It was a great intersection of artists and art enthusiasts/collectors where I made wonderful connections.

I also said “yes” when asked to lead the efforts to revitalize the Veteran Art Therapy program for Castle Rock Artist Alliance after COVID caused a pause. We successfully added First Responder’s Classes to the existing Veteran’s Art Therapy classes, and met our goal of two classes for each group in 2024.

I was featured in a short documentary on our program for Veterans called “Painting a New Path” which debuted at the 2024 Castle Rock Film Festival, benefitting the Castle Rock Artist Alliance Veteran and First Responder Art Therapy program.

I said “yes” to joining the Board of Directors for Castle Rock Artist Alliance as Secretary.

I also helped raise $60,000 for the “Art of Giving Fundraising Gala” with Tri Arts Project, another art group in Castle Rock whose mission is to create a place to teach a wide variety of art to all ages, that I am also a member of. Tri Arts Project was successful in winning the bid for Cantril School, now utilized to teach a wide variety of artistic endeavors beginning in the Fall of 2024.

These opportunities to serve and lead, helped grow my brand. My painting “Electric Back Yard – Crows” was chosen to be the cover of the Tri Arts Project 2025 Calendar featuring 12 member artists. A photo of me “live painting” at the 2023 Castle Rock Art Fest” was used in promoting the 2024 Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce Art Fest. The National Arts Program presented by the Parker Arts Guild used my painting “Fall in the Garden of the Gods No. 2” for their website promotion of the 2025 event. And, three of my paintings from my Electric Collection were chosen to be part of a Southwest Artist portfolio offering in New Mexico, where my work can be purchased for Public Buildings there.

In 2025, I’ve accepted the position of Vice-President of Castle Rock Artist Alliance, remain on the Tri Arts Project’s 2nd “Art of Giving Fundraising Gala” committee.

I also was chosen as a Redline Gallery EPIC Artist, working in conjunction with Denver Public Schools, mentoring students in a social-justice focused art project the students choose and create, culminating in an Exhibition at Redline. I am currently serving with another Redline EPIC Artist at Urban Peak, Denver’s only full-service, homeless teen transition center.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work reflects my delight in the beauty of a particular place or scene. Or, a story that can’t effectively be told on a single canvas, representing a single frame, of our 24-frames-a-minute lives.

I often apply electric colors to everyday scenes that flash before our eyes and then are gone in an instant. Like an emotional flashbulb capturing a single, dramatic frame.

I’ve won multiple awards since 2021, when I began my full-time practice, and regularly exhibit in galleries in the Rocky Mountain West, such as 40 West Gallery, Core Art Space and Edge Galleries in the 40 West Art Hub.

I had a successful show at ART Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM in the summer of 2024 and a solo exhibition of my Red Rocks of Colorado series at Morgan Community College, in Ft. Morgan, CO. in September 2024.

Also, in September 2024, I was notified that my submission to the Southwest Artist Series Purchase Initiative, has been selected by jurors and will be included in a portfolio of artworks available for purchase for the Art in Public Places Program of the New Mexico Arts/Department of Cultural Affairs.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First we’d walk seven blocks north of my studio at 10th & Perry, to Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse & Pizzeria at Sloans Lake and catchup over a delicious Perry St. Pilsner, while watching water-skiers and paddle boarders enjoying Sloan’s Lake in the spring or summer.

If it’s fall or winter we’d hop on the trails behind my house/studio down by the creek, and hike or snowshoe to the Joseph P. Martinez Park, a big beautiful park dedicated to Martinez, the first Hispanic American to receive the Medal of Honor during WWII. He was a native Coloradan.

Depending on how long the stay, some other personal ‘hang faves’ we’d spend some time at would be: Little Man Ice Cream Factory on Colfax on our way to The 40 West Art Galleries, and afterwards, we’d walk across the parking lot to snarf some enchiladas & sopapillas while watching the cliff divers at Casa Bonita, a long-time Denver favorite.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to Paul Price, Executive Director of Castle Rock Artist Alliance, and grant writer for the Veteran and First Responder Art Therapy program, who has always made this program a foundation of CRAA.

Shoutout to John Neumeier, the current President who works tirelessly for the members of the Castle Rock Artist Alliance, providing opportunities for local art exhibits, and unique events for the community such as the Castle Rock Film Festival, the brainchild of my fellow board member, Hunter Burns and his company, Film Hound.

And last, but certainly not least Dana Frazee, the current President of Tri Arts Project in Castle Rock who also leads the Public Arts Commission, and is an incredible force for good, constantly promoting the arts in Castle Rock.

Website: https://www.CarrieMartin.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CarrieJMartin

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriemartin/

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/CarrieJeanWaddingtonMartin