Mel Martin is a fourth-generation Californian and photographer whose work is rooted in the landscapes of the Southwest and Pacific Coast. She began photographing in her teens and pursued it more seriously in her late 30s. In her 40s she began showing in galleries along the Central Coast. Her travels with her supportive husband provide the opportunity to both take photos and gather ideas for painting.
In 2015, Mel expanded into encaustic painting, working with pigmented molten wax, and now also paints in acrylic and creates collages from monoprints. Across all her mediums, she aims for the same thing: to let the viewer feel what she felt in the moment the work was made.
Mel is a member of the Sonora Photo Club and the Mother Lode Art Association. She continues to develop her vision and technique.