An Interview with Artist Gio Martin
Every month during the First Friday Art Walk in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe we bring in an artist or maker for a pop-up! This month we’re featuring artist and Strawberry Mountain customer Gio Martin aka Paintgoon!
Ahead of their pop-up with us, we asked Gio some questions about themself, their art, and sustainability. Enjoy!
When did you start making and selling art?
I've been making art since the tender age of 3, but I didn't start trying to sell my art until I reached college. One of my first pieces sold was to a dear friend; a watercolor monoprint that was very silly, Sonic The Hedgehog themed, and maybe a tad inappropriate in nature. It's only my second summer in the world of art markets, but I'm happy Denver has so many wonderful opportunities to sell my work!
What inspires your work?
My work is inspired by the fantastical and fictional, as well as pure concepts of friendship, happiness, and joy especially through a queer lens, though I often touch upon feelings of frustration, fear, and sadness as well. The full gamut of human emotion inspires me since, as an autistic person, my feelings are quite intense. I love cartoons, animation, and graphic novels especially for such themes as well, like the shows Adventure Time or Steven Universe, animations by painter and artist Allison Schulnik, or the book series Bone by Jeff Smith.
What does sustainability mean to you and how does your art reflect that belief?
The core tenet of my wearables art practice is sustainability and reuse. I source secondhand for all my beads and clothes for block printing, as well as some of my other various art supplies, typically from places like local business ReCreative, or thrift stores like the Goodwill bins. Textile and plastic waste is a major weight on the world's shoulders and I try to do my part to avoid contributing!
What is your goal as an artist?
Stay silly, and make people feel something, whether it's confusion or self-confidence or whatever. I just want to subvert people's expectations for how art and fashion are "supposed to be".
If you were an animal/breakfast cereal/ice cream flavor/style of architecture what would you be?
I'd have to be Lucky Charms with oatmilk. The maximimalist and very gay choice.
What’s next for you? Are there any projects or goals you are currently working toward that you'd like to share about?
Hopefully some major murals are in my future! I've been working at a small scale with most of my pieces for the last year so it's about time to turn the effort level up to 11. There's a design I'm just about done with of a gorgeously gorey aerial faerie battle that would make a fantastic mural if any local places are looking to fill their walls.
Are there any artistic mediums you’d like to explore that you haven’t yet?
The idea of making large sculptures excites me but I have barely the foggiest idea how to construct a cardboard box, let alone get the creatures I'm scheming to construct come to fruition. Maybe someday!
Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in being one of our featured artists, send us an email. We’re always looking to expand our community and showcase the talent our city has to offer.
Until next time,
“Be excellent to each other”
