Meet Pryce Martin | Fine Artist & Graphic Designer

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

Hi Pryce, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I was little and someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said an artist. I started painting as a toddler with my mom and my sister. My mom sat us down at the kitchen table and kept us occupied with every art material and art book imaginable. My sister and I have these songs that we associate with our mom, and our childhood, and summers spent at the lake (the vibe is “I Got You Babe” by UB40 or Sonny & Cher). One day in the car on the way to the lake house, we decided to make a playlist of all her favorite songs, write down all the things that reminded us of her, and then paint those ideas. Art and creativity has always been our way to connect with people. I have this fascination with music, and art, and it’s ability to bring you back to a place in time or remind you of a person. I associate nostalgia with art and color, and I try to use this creativity to connect with people. My artwork and commissions now revolve around warm moments, places, color pallets, and objects that remind people of something or someone they love. I want art to visualize those feelings that you can’t really describe with words – how you feel at night by the ocean, when you see the Eiffel tower peek out from behind a building on a walk with your mates, when you drive through the mountains with blue skies and yellow leaves, or when you explore an unfamiliar city or long to visit a new one.

Now, I’ve realized I didn’t need art as a full-time career (contrary to what my 6 year old self said), but I needed it somewhere in my life to connect with people. During my day job, I work with heavy data and excel spreadsheets all day, and I’m only allowed to use this Navy color (text 2) on our slides. In college I studied advertising and graphic design, and I always thought I would have a creative career path, so starting a creative side business allowed for that freedom. Art was also a way to connect with people during Covid-19. Pre-covid, I was traveling in Europe and overly stimulated by creative living, art museums, beautiful people, and new places. I turned to art as a way to reconnect with people, and to imagine the places and things I still wanted to see. I started creating digital prints last year and then jumped into commissioned canvases. The goal is to grow and learn over the next year and to connect with the local arts community.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve learned it will never feel like the right time to dive into something new but it’s so worth it to take that jump. Navigating my early 20s is a weird time, so having this creative hobby turn into a place that I can put my energy and create new purpose is really important to me. It felt like a risk at first, but I’ve learned creativity isn’t a contest or a race. I could constantly compare myself to other really talented people, but then I take a step back and realize there is actually room for everyone in the arts world. Throughout school, I knew what society and peers valued in “the right” career path, what media said was important, but I never stopped to think about what the **** I wanted to do with my life. I try not to think of the idea that everyone will not like what I make, it’s just how it is though. My favorite art quote is Andy Warhol, “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” I knew a creative pursuit could be hard and critical, so now I just figure that out day by day and try to keep balance in my life. It really is full circle when I get to share a final commissioned piece with someone. I’ve had a few digital art prints that really resonated with people, and it’s so exciting to feel like others see or appreciate the same things in the world as I do. I have a lot of learning and growing to do, but I’m excited to start new series of work over the next year.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely start in RiNo stoping in all the art galleries and shops, and then we would have a tour of the breweries in that area. I love Modern Nomad — it’s a collection of the coolest artisans and brands. I would go to Red Rocks or another spot around the city to hike, and then we have to go back to Red Rocks in the evening for a concert at sunset. One of my favorite bars is Happy Camper (it’s covered with disco balls and has a fab outdoor space), and there is a speakeasy called Williams & Graham where you’ll run into people from all over the world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It’s short and sweet, and all thanks goes to my family. My dad encouraged me to travel the world and leads by example to be a listener. My mom gave me the tools to be creative, and she read 500+ page books with me every single night when I could barely read the words on the page yet. I think all creativity in my life flows from this and I can’t be more thankful for those memories. My little sister, Erin, is just my creative rock. She has a vision for art, and a vision to encourage others through life. She’s always been by my side, as I messily learned how to be a role model to her — and ended up learning more from her.

Website: https://society6.com/carolineprycecreative

Instagram: @carolinepryce_creative

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