Interview with Martin Cheek - Part 2

Art is about the journey

In Part 1 of Martin's interview (Missed Part 1? Read it here.) he mentioned that "his relationship with his work is in the making of them" and that "once finished, he rarely has any emotional ties to them".

I often feel the same way. It's the act of creating something - not the finished piece that I find magical. Even though I sometimes get attached to certain artworks (very few), the process is definitely the most rewarding.

With all that said, I find it incomprehensible how some people go from crayon toting toddlers to creative whirlwinds as adults. When does the spark first ignite? Those stories - the beginnings - are always the most interesting.

Part 2 of Martin's Interview

When did you first realize you possessed creative talents?
 
As a child I liked making jigsaw puzzles…surprise, surprise! By the time I started school I could do them with 2000 pieces. On my first day at school the teacher came up to me and asked "What do you like doing?!" I replied “jigsaws” – to which she produced a kiddy puzzle with about 20 pieces in it. “That's no good”, I explained,"I can do them with 2000 pieces!" "Now don’t tell stories," she admonished - to which I got cross…"You ask my MOM!" …which she of course did and my Mother, bless her heart, was able to put the old bag in her place. (She was probably really young looking back …but she FEELS like an old bag in my memory.)

The trouble was that, in those days, anything over a few pieces was aimed at adults. So the larger puzzles were boring scenes, like photos of thatched cottages. I dreamed of a large Disney puzzle, but that didn’t happen for another 20 years when Heye brought out a cartoon series of Mordillo’s cartoons.  Needless to say, I bought the lot, even though I was student by then and should have moved on to more adult pastimes!

Nocturnal, 38cm x 30cm © Martin Cheek

What is your least favorite material to work with?

I get very annoyed with cheap Chinese Vitreous that shatters every time I try to nibble it. I’m getting pretty bored of using Vitreous Glass. By choice I only use it for backgrounds these days, unless budgetary requirements make it the only option. It’s so plastic and characterless, compared to my fusions or smalti. Vitreous seems to have realized that I have fallen out with it: I end up fighting with it as opposed to working with it!

(I never could understand what mosaic artists saw in vitreous glass! Way too demanding for my tastes and patience level. 

Martin's piece "Nocturnal", shown above" is made from millefiori and his handmade glass fusions - his signature look.)

Have you ever thought about making mosaic or fused glass jewelry?
 
I’ve thought about it, yes. My daughter makes exquisite jewelry: her hands are smaller than mine and thus, she’s able to handle small pieces. My hands are too big – like a boxer trying to do flower arranging with his boxing gloves still on. Besides - I’m not really interested in PRECIOUS – I’d rather have FUNNY!

(I think Martin's fusions would make wonderful pendants!)

Arachnophobia , 25cm x 18cm © Martin Cheek

Thought I'd have the interview wrapped up in 2 parts but there is too much material and photos to shove into a couple of posts. 

MORE TO COME!