The Relentless Urge to Create: the Work of Earl Joseph Martell

Jeffery Rudell, contributor

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A distant galaxy, a microscopic organism, a masterwork of high modernism, or a manifestation of chance?

Earl Joseph Martell

This bold graphic would be at home on any gallery wall...or, for that matter, on any painted wall at all...

Earl Joseph Martell

The rim of the gallon paint can suggests the origins of this work.

Earl Joseph Martell

A distant galaxy, a microscopic organism, a masterwork of high modernism, or a manifestation of chance?

Photo: Earl Joseph Martell

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Let's start by just looking at some very interesting, very evocative, and very beautiful photographs. Whatever your taste in Art (with a capital "A"), I hope you will agree with me that as exuberant expressions of color, shape, and texture, these images are, at the very least, extraordinary.

Were you to set to guessing what they are (and what they are made of), you would be excused for guessing modern art, close-up photos of enamel jewelry, aerial photographs of ice floes and mineral deposits, microscopic snapshots of viruses, or pictures of interstellar galaxies. What you likely wouldn't guess is that they are pictures taken at a Home Depot by an accomplished landscape painter who usually works in the tradition of mid-19th century artists such as Monet and Renoir.

Epiphanies come in many sizes and, if contemporary films are to be believed, they almost always occur beneath the groin vaults of a gothic cathedral, on a wind-swept stretch of New England coastline, or—on the rarest of occasions—across a crowded room; in my case an epiphany occurred in a suburban New Jersey Home Depot on a mundane Wednesday four weeks ago and I'm still reeling from the experience. What the moment lacked in cinematic scope, it made up for by its crystalline intensity. We have all had a moment when we perhaps thought to ourselves, "This is a moment I will remember; this is important, this means something." Well, I had exactly that sort of moment at Home Depot, and I've been unable to stop talking about it ever since. My friends are now so tired of hearing me proselytize that they have begun to jokingly refer to it as "the singularity" but their ribbing is not far off the fact.

Here's what happened: I was in Home Depot buying a can of high-gloss paint in a hue the Behr color swatch labeled "Bitter Chocolate." As with most paints, the hue had to be custom mixed, and so I was standing watching the Home Depot associate at the paint department counter—a man by the name of Earl Joseph Martell—go through the steps required to produce my specified hue: He grabbed a can of white, high-gloss base paint from a shelf, removed the lid, and placed it beneath the pigment-dispensing spigots of the color machine. He then proceeded to enter the code for the paint formula into the computer —punch, punch, punch, enter—and the machine dispensed the hues necessary to create the shade I had ordered. Then Earl did something I wasn't expecting: He pulled a small, digital camera from his pocket and snapped a quick picture of the can of paint before replacing the lid and proceeding to the paint-mixing machine to give it a thorough shaking.

The photograph, done with practiced percision, took less than five seconds to do and was managed with such nonchalance that I'm certain none of the other customers at the counter with me that day even noticed it. I, on the other hand, recognized in an instant what it was I had just seen: I had witnessed the relentless urge to create, and in that moment I recognized the driving force of my own life and that of so many creative people I know and work with.

Consider for a moment the average painter: He or she selects a subject (figurative or abstract), selects a palette, a brush for applying the paint, then proceeds with that application using a technique or style of their choosing. When the work is finished it is exhibited, admired, discussed ("what subtle color," "what meaningful brushstrokes") and eventually purchased (at a price based on perceived value) after which is it hung on a wall and admired and protected while it hopefully appreciates in value.

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Comments (29)

chikie writes: This is awesome! At first glance, I thought the work was similiar to Dale Chihuly's blown glass work! I love it!


Posted: 8:58 pm on October 8th

Pam_BatesMercantile writes: I love this! awesome pics. glad he is documenting.
Posted: 2:40 pm on March 13th

canvaspaintings writes: hi there, this is really great, keep up the good work


Pete
supporting Uk canvas paintings
Posted: 3:00 pm on November 1st

wwwmelissapylearts writes: Great interview! "It" truly is about how we see the world and share our world. It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Martell.
The color you mixed for me today was on the mark!
Thanks!
Posted: 9:19 pm on September 6th

LenRose writes: I love this article and these photos.

I have known Earl Martell for nearly 20 years, and he is one of my dearest friends. He has an irrepressible enthusiasm for life and an uncanny ability to find beauty in even the seemingly mundane, and capture it, whether through painting, photography, collage or other media. I am the proud owner of several of his works, and when I look at them, they brighten my day. Because of him, I now am able to see the world in a different way.
Posted: 10:50 pm on June 8th

LenRose writes: I love this article and these photos.

I have known Earl Martell for nearly 20 years, and he is one of my dearest friends. He has an irrepressible enthusiasm for life and an uncanny ability to find beauty even in the seemingly mundane, and capture it, whether through painting, photography, collage, or other media. I am the proud owner of several of his works, and when I look at them, they brighten my day. Because of Earl, I now see the world in a different way.
Posted: 10:45 pm on June 8th

LenRose writes: I love this article and these photos.

I have known Earl Martell for nearly twenty years. He has an irrepressible enthusiasm for life and an uncanny ability to seek out beauty and capture it, whether through painting, photography, collage, or other media. I am the proud owner of several of his works, and when I look at them, they brighten my day.
Posted: 10:40 pm on June 8th

SweetbriarStudio writes: This was soooo great! I like the photos but, almost more, the different approach. Not being constrained by how one is 'supposed' to paint or create. Very inspiring. thx!
Posted: 6:06 pm on June 6th

CJSassy writes: Thank You for sharing this story and these amazing images with us. I enjoyed both very much
Posted: 8:46 am on June 6th

SpiritCloth writes: Not only are the photos gorgeous, but the 4 paragraphs from the 4th paragraph ("Here's what happened:...") on are literature in my book. Without seeing the photos yet, I was taken into the experience of Jeffrey Rudell and came away enriched.
Posted: 12:47 pm on June 5th

eveh writes: At first I thought this was an article about marbleizing paper. I sometimes, drop spoonfuls of paint in different colors on top of water and then dip a piece of paper or anything for that matter, and watch the marbleized look it gives. I always think how beautiful the water looks with the different colors. A lot like these cans of paint. Beauty is everywhere in lovely patterns and colors that are just unbelievable to those who have eyes to see.
Posted: 11:52 pm on June 4th

LunarFaith writes: this is really great - and i love all these splurges of paint adhering to each other making a complete impression - which feeds the soul and the mind ..really gorgeous. Thanks Jeff for putting this to us and really taking a little time to recognize "Art" around. .
Posted: 4:21 am on June 4th

lavenderfield writes: Unexpectedly beautiful!
Posted: 12:59 am on June 4th

lavenderfield writes: Unexpectedly beautiful!
Posted: 12:58 am on June 4th

wilksgallery writes: Wonderful article, the pictures are gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing. Martell's outlook on life and Art is refreshing and inspiring.
Posted: 8:46 pm on June 3rd

hotdotyuki writes: I loved your story about Earl Martell. It is inspiring. I also could feel your insights with all the creative paper ideas you have had. How do I keep in touch with you?
Loving all things paper and trying to keep creative with it (could be my Japanese family background) I have so enjoyed everything you have offered on this site.
Posted: 5:26 pm on May 31st

krobbie67 writes: I am disheartened to have read today on Dudecraft that Jeffrey Rudell will no longer be contributing to this site. I find his work to be inspiring and sophisticated. It saddens me that you would discontinue his participation here. Jeffrey, is there another site that your fans can follow your work? A rudimentary search left me lacking. Thank you!
Posted: 10:37 pm on May 26th

cottageindustrialist writes: What a beautiful story--both in its essence and in its retelling. I can understand why you have been so captivated all these weeks.
Posted: 2:13 pm on May 26th

DebsK writes: Yes, I am so very aware of this wonderful local artist, Earl. I can proudly say he is a dear friend of mine & my family. He is not only one of the most talented artists I have ever met but a sweet, sensitive, intelligent, inspiring person as well. I also own a few of his wonderful creations. I look at my "Earl" wall every day for comfort when I am sad, for inspiration when I feel 'stuck,' and just a smile~
Thank you, Earl....you are so very blessed.
Debbie Paddack-Kloby
Posted: 1:59 pm on May 26th

annquill writes: Jeffery, you never fail to look at things from an inspired perspective. That's what I love about this site... the way you and the other crafting experts constantly surprise us with new ideas. You might have been after Bitter Chocolate that day, but you came away with nourishment for the soul. Earl's photographs and landscape paintings are beautiful.
Posted: 10:46 am on May 26th

AWilcox writes: In a million years, I would have never have guessed what these colorful masterpieces are. The work is simply amazing, and your description and writing is extraordinary; such as the work your create yourself. I really enjoyed reading this piece and the interview, it is very inspiring and refreshing to see and hear about such unusual talent. Thanks for featuring this great artist and sharing his art.
Posted: 10:25 am on May 26th

BerniS writes: Earl & I have known each other for most of the years I've worked at Brookdale Community College (he still keeps coming back!) & have always supported each other in our artistic endeavors, so I'm absolutely thrilled to see this magnificent writeup & interview. He's one of the most dedicated artists I've ever known. As he states: never let your art become secondary to your job. Bravo, Earl!
Posted: 7:49 pm on May 25th

garnetnm writes: What a great experience. When my brother took us on a flight from Akron to Cleveland and back, my husband was busy taking pictures. As we were looking at them later, one had captured an interesting design and composition for me. It turned out to be a utility processing complex. Art is where you find it.

Thanks for sharing, and I will be sharing this with friends.
Posted: 7:09 pm on May 25th

VINTAGE2GLAM writes: What a wonderful and inspiring story. It is amazing how one can see art and beauty in your everyday life, weather at home(home depot) or at work. How great is it that he has been taking pictures of this part of his job and that everytime he has an order for paint he is adding to his collection of fabulous photos. Never knowing what to expect when the order is placed. It must make Earl happy and excited to see a line of people ordering paint, I know I would be excited. Earl is taking a job that maybe some would not find interesting and making it a fun and creative art process. Great job Earl, an another Great art inspired story Jeff. Thanks again for a story well done.
Posted: 3:04 pm on May 25th

Jen_W writes: I love that extraordinary people with amazing back stories are all around us...if we only look and engage them in conversation. I think it's tremendous that he finds such inspiration in what some might find a mundane day job.
Posted: 12:09 pm on May 25th

WendyQM writes: Sometimes the most beautiful art can be found in the mundane. This article inspires me to more carefully analyze my daily life: to find the hidden beauty in things I would typically overlook... the boring, the seemingly useless things... to find the unexpected genius hidden within.

Posted: 12:05 pm on May 25th

krobbie67 writes: I find the pictures to be fascinating and Martell's take on life and art to be encouraging. I also find it inspiring that Rudell took the time to recognize something special was happening amongst what could have been quite an ordinary transaction.
Posted: 11:45 am on May 25th

paperrain writes: well, there's much to think about, here, but I love his take on education.
Thanks for sharing his work with us!
Posted: 10:31 am on May 25th

Maureclaire writes: Yup ! I can relate ! If I worked at Home Depot, I would HAVE to be taking those pictures too !
Posted: 6:02 am on May 25th

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