Trudy Martin

Love of Art Began With Coloring Books

Hello, my name is Trudy Martin, artist of Martin’s Feather Art. I live in Southeastern Ohio on a farm with my husband of 35 years. We have 3 wonderful grown children and 4 amazing grandchildren. I have lived in this area my whole life. My family loves to farm, hunt, fish and spend time outdoors.

As a young child, I loved coloring books. In fact, that was all I wanted for Christmas and birthdays. I was so happy with just a coloring book and a new box of crayons. One year, my parents gave me and my sister each a coloring book and a baby doll for Christmas. I traded my doll to her for her coloring book. After that, my parents never gave me a baby doll again, just coloring books which made me happy! I would spend hours coloring and I saved my books after they were all colored for years. This is where my love for art began.  

In school, my favorite subject was Art. After graduating high school, I toured an Art college in Pennsylvania, but I was ready for marriage and a family, so I decided not to attend. I got married in 1986, soon had children and never picked up a paintbrush again, until 2006 after seeing some painted turkey feathers in a gift shop and thought they were so neat! My husband had tried to convince me for years to paint again, but I was busy raising 3 children and working that I never took the time to do it. By 2006, most of our children were grown and after seeing the feather, I really wanted to try it. So, I did and that was the beginning of my art career.  

I like using “natures” canvas and focus my subjects on wildlife. I set up at a local art show in the spring of 2007. I was amazed at the response people had! They loved the uniqueness of my art. I sold several paintings and then I was hooked! I have been doing shows ever since. I only participate in a few shows a year, and Old-Fashioned Christmas In The Woods is my absolute favorite show! I have participated every year since 2011. The atmosphere, people, decorations and food is unbeatable! We look forward to this show every year! My husband or daughters always attend with me.

After painting on wild turkey feathers for a few years, I decided to expand to a new canvas, birch bark. Where we vacation, I would see it in the woods and thought maybe it could be painted on. I was successful at it and then soon added macaw feathers when I can find them. Each painting consists of at least 5 layers of paint allowing each layer to dry before applying next. My husband builds my frames for me and I mat and frame every painting at my home.

I sincerely hope you will visit my booth this year! My booth number is 36.