The feeling of acrylic paint drying on senior Eli Martin’s fingers as he worked on his newest art piece in his studio. Dark, earthy, green hues created a natural scene and a style which is unique to his works. 

  Martin is preparing for an exhibit he’s hoping to develop by the end of the year. It will hopefully showcase some pieces he’s worked hardest on.

   “People think that art is this talent that is divinely given to you, but if people put as much time as I have into art they would all be as good as me or better,” Martin said. 

   Martin plans to display with The Smalter Gallery, a Kansas City gallery at 1802 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO. He has displayed there in the past, showing some unique works of his like “We Belong to the Earth”. 

   “You really get to, like, soak in the canvas, and I love seeing all of it in person,” senior Jordan Naseem said.

   Martin got here through making and displaying art as much as he could. He tries to paint daily. The works shown in the exhibit were paintings often created with a combination of brush painting and finger painting techniques. 

   “I really enjoy using art as a meditative practice where I kind of shut out the world and it’s just me and the painting for a little while,” Martin said.

  Despite working with The Smalter in the past, no deal has been finalized for an exhibit this year. Martin is still working on pieces for the exhibit as he hopes to finalize this deal.

   “I’ve really watched his [Martin’s] confidence grow which is so amazing,” high school gifted resource Carrie Marcantonio said, “because I could see how good his art was but I don’t think he could see how good it was.”

   Martin’s unique style was inspiring to Marcantonio. She even has an original Martin piece hanging in her house. The piece depicts Earth’s natural beauties with birds and mushrooms. The way it encaptures nature displays Martin’s art and style. Marcantonio isn’t the only person with a unique Martin piece. His friends also have a few unique pieces.

   “In sixth grade, I got a painting from Eli. It was a three by three canvas of a sunset, and he designed it,” Naseem said. The painting shows that Martin’s style hasn’t changed much when it comes to blending, but it has become more defined. 

   Martin has been doing art for years. He first started with simple drawings, these drawings expanded into comic-like stories which showed how he expanded as a storyteller and artist.

   “My earliest drawing was from when I was two years old and I just haven’t really stopped,” Martin said. “That’s been the way that I always turn to express myself or tell stories.”

   Martin’s art started with drawings of comic panels and has expanded to painting, crocheting, fiber arts, embroidery and even songwriting. He performed at one of the Songwriter’s Club showcases, singing a cover of a Ricky Montgomery song and playing the instrumentals on a guitar.

   “If I just did one [medium] and got really good at that, I think I would get bored because I like having the variety of experience that you use in a lot of different mediums,” Martin said.

   Today, Martin’s art highlights natural beauties. His favorite piece is “We Belong to the Earth,” depicts two skeletons holding hands. It references archeological dig sites like “Lovers of Modena” or “Lovers of Valdaro” which find skeletons holding hands which are often discovered decades after burial.  

   “My favorite artist who is currently living is named TailedJeckle,” Martin said.

   Martin finds inspiration in historical references and modern artists. He admires the visual storytelling and unique pieces this artist provides. Martin also takes inspiration from Impressionist artists such as Camille Pissarro and Monet. These artists pushed the limits of art at the time, and there are still people today who push artistic limits.

   “What comes to mind to me immediately is Glen Martin Taylor,” Martin said, “I think he is doing a really interesting job of pushing what art is meant to be.”

   “Make as much art as you possibly can,” Martin said, “make what you want to make and make as much of it and make it bad on purpose.”

   He believes making art is more impactful than a tutorial ever could be. This applies to each medium of art that Martin does. He finds that practice does make perfect.

   “You have to put yourself out there if you want to have opportunities like that,” Marcantonio said. Martin’s ability to put his work in the spotlight is an inspiration to artists. 

   To keep updated on art galleries which may feature Martin’s work, follow The Smalter Gallery on Instagram under @smalterart. Along with this, Martin performs at Songwriters’ Club showcases.