Amaze Story Trail: Introducing our amaze-ing artist Martha Mitchell!
Today
Brighton & Hove Buses are proud sponsors of The Story Trail, a brand-new Wild in Art sculpture trail coming to Brighton and Hove this Autumn for local charity Amaze.
From 12th September to 8th November, a city-wide gallery of over 30 ‘BookBenches’ will be on display in streets, parks and green spaces, each an ‘open book’ ready to be discovered!
Every ‘BookBench’ has been designed by a talented local artist, each with their own unique look and story.
Although the book-tastic designs are still under wraps until September, we’re excited to share that our ‘BookBench’ has been designed by Hove-based artist, Martha Mitchell.
The team recently met Martha in her studio to learn more about her style, inspiration, and of course, her love of buses!
Martha's career so far:
“I loved illustration and ceramics, and at that time I was making ceramics, but I realised it was actually the illustration I loved doing.”
Martha started by drawing her friends' kitchen shelves in univeristy halls, with packaging the subject. From there, Martha moved into producing smaller, detailed drawings, before going on to explore other themes:
“It was actually my mum who suggested why don’t I try drawing Brighton-related things.” Martha explained.
This started with mugs fired in Martha’s own kiln, before other items were added to her best-selling Brighton collection.
Martha's ranges now stretch from Lewes to Liverpool, Newcastle to New York!
Although Martha’s work is now unmistakable, she explained her development and popularity didn’t happen overnight.
“It was really gradual, it built up and I was so lucky to be able to have the studio. We’re lucky in Brighton that there are so many fairs and things going on all the time, so I would do markets at the weekends…and Artists Open Houses.”
Martha's art-style:
“I would describe my art-style as illustrative and also graphic. I love drawing lettering and street signs, like Brighton Palace Pier sign. It used to be just black and white, so I would have described it as that, but I have started to use splashes of colour.”
Why Martha was drawn to the Amaze Story Trail:
“I loved the shape of the bench, I loved the fact it was a book, it was practical - you could sit on it.”
When talking about the inspiration behind her soon to be revealed ‘BookBench’ Martha explained:
“I normally draw so small, so just being able to draw bigger and work around lots of other artists was lovely. I love Brighton, and there was so many things to draw. It was nice to be more free with it and get it onto this big canvas.”
“The bench design took around 8 - 10 days in total. I usually draw with a fine tip pen, but for this I used acrylic pens that was more of a challenge - and scary!”
Martha's favourite 3 Bookbenches by other artists to visit along the trail:
Faye Bridgwater (@faye_bridgwater)
Pinky Vision (@thepinkyvision)
Danielle Brooks (@daniellebrooks_illustrator)
Finally - Buses!
“I grew up in Brighton so I've always used the buses - I was so glad when I heard it was the bus company who had chosen to sponsor my bench!”
“I have a love of the buses. My kids are obsessed with the 1X, which stops where we need. They love the 3X too - any bus with an ‘X’ on it!”
“I love the graffiti bus, and I like those with the people in the community on too. The Above and Beyond.”
The Amaze Story Trail arrives in Brighton and Hove on Saturday 12th September. Information on how to follow the trail, and where to find the ‘BookBenches’ will be released soon.
Learn more about Amaze services and resources here.