Quirky Creativity

Worcester-based artist Martina Munn creates beautiful, playful artworks with a whimsical sense of childhood nostalgia. Originally from Germany, she grew up surrounded by Bavarian folk art. Her quirky use of basic shapes, bold colours and busy patterns depict everyday scenes in warm and friendly, almost cartoonish compositions.

Martina often uses a 'pre-loved' frame as a starting point for her creative process, adding vibrantly coloured objects, floral still lifes, or simple portraits to finish each piece with unique personality. We interviewed Martina to learn more about her work.

Why do you create?

When I was a child, one of my parents' friends was an artist and my family and I lived above an artist as well. I always spent time in her flat admiring her art and she often tried to involve me in the process. When we moved away we carried on writing to one another. She made special envelopes and paper, sent instructions of making things, or photos / gifts of what she'd made.




As a teenager I forever copied famous works of art we had in art books at home. I also really enjoyed collages and still do at times. I love painting and losing myself in the process. Finding and pairing up a pre-loved frame for my work is then like finding that last piece of a jigsaw.

Being creative for me is escapism of the mundane day-to-day and total enjoyment experimenting with ideas I have in my head. Being a mum and working can be all consuming. Now my child is a teenager, I can find a bit more time and art just makes me happy. I have only started painting a few years ago due to a change in circumstances.




I then realised how much I actually love painting and within 3 months I was exhibiting and selling my work. I was like a little train, going full steam ahead creating art! I surprised myself of how much fun I had with it and how well it was received by others straight away. I think my art reflects joy, a sense of fun, colour and most of all, some quirkiness.

How and where do you work?

I work from home, and I often paint next to everything else that is going on. I mainly work at our dining table, or occasionally in the office, when I have something in the oven, or when all my other work is done for the day. I always have to make sure my brushes don't dry out and that I clean my mixed colours, as I often have to interrupt the process.




I use mainly acrylic paint on board or canvas panels and my frames are all pre-loved solid wooden frames,which I lovingly re-painted in mineral paint.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I got inspired by my home country, and the folk art I was surrounded by when I grew up. Mainly everyday objects in my home, animals, flicking through interior magazines / books, Instagram, art, going to museums or galleries and long walks in nature with my dog are a constant inspiration to me. I also love antiques and browsing in vintage shops gives me lots of ideas too.

What influences your work?

The pre-loved frames I source are my initial influence and trying to envisage what to create in order to make this a lovely combination with the frame.




Expressionism and folk art in particular are inspiring to me. I love the playfulness, colours, patterns and simple nature of paintings from that genre.

Both the Bloomsbury group here in the UK and Gabrielle Münter's house in Bavaria are a huge influence on my work. When I visit exhibitions, or have a stroll in a museum, I get lots of ideas I then want to put on paper. Usually as soon as I get home, I will itch to paint.

Where do you sell your art?

At the moment I sell the majority of my art through a Tetbury art gallery called Spencer House and then Artenax gallery in Topsham, Devon also stocks my work. I sell privately through Instagram as well and recently took part in Worcestershire Open Studios. Previously I have sold my art in various independent shops and galleries throughout Worcestershire.

My work is mainly framed original paintings, some prints but also a few lovely limited edition giclèe's and sometimes some interestingly painted wooden bowls or objects.

How do you promote yourself and your work?

Again on Instagram, but I have also been lucky enough to have exhibited on a few arts and crafts markets such as the lovely Blue Magpie Craft Fair, Elmslie House in Malvern (twice), also The Artery in Worcester and St Swithun's Church in Worcester. It's still early days for me, but I am planning to source more galleries and shops who would like to sell my art.

What are your future ambitions?

I am keen to have a few more commissions and would really like to have a joint exhibition with one, or a few more artists, sometime in the future. I am hoping to have enough time and inspiration to create more art and better myself.




I am curious to see how my work will evolve over time. I am also keen to enter some of my work into some art competitions. Ideally I would like to have a studio in the garden one day, with a big wood burner and my dog by my side. Most of all I just want to have fun with my art and do it for myself. If it resonates with other people and they love it too, that is just a wonderful thing.

Do you have any advice for other artists?

Believe in yourself and just have fun creating. Make art for yourself and try to make it unique. Your confidence will shine through your work and the more you create, the better you will get. Speak to lots of people about what you do, meet other artists and show your work.


Many thanks to Martina Munn for answering our questions. You can see more of Martina's quirky paintings and get notified of new exhibitions by following her on Instagram.