Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Ferguson.
Martha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the creative process. I was incredibly fortunate to have an early art teacher who encouraged me to experiment with diverse mediums. During high school, I studied watercolor at a local college, learning to paint wet-on-wet in an expressive, fluid manner.
Inspired by the historical beauty of St. Augustine, I chose to attend Flagler College, where I studied fine art under Enzo Torcoletti. Following my studies, I moved to Ocean Grove, New Jersey, where I built a successful career as a local artist. I continued my artistic training by attending master workshops and taking classes at the Art Students League of New York.
After spending more than 30 years in New Jersey alongside my husband, we relocated back to St. Augustine. Surrounded by the beautiful weather and charm of North Florida, I immediately immersed myself in plein air painting and joined local artist groups. Painting live subjects outdoors profoundly pushed my growth as an artist. It taught me to observe my subject matter differently, paint with quicker and looser brushstrokes, and ultimately hone my own style.
In 2024, I had the incredible honor of joining a delegation from the City of St. Augustine as an official plein air artist, traveling to Avilés, Spain, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our Sister Cities cultural exchange. It was a significant milestone and a wonderful opportunity to paint the historical locale while documenting the special event between our two historic cities.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Choosing the path of an independent artist is a long journey. The easy part is spending hours in the studio, getting lost in the creative process. The true challenge lies in the high cost of quality supplies, the daunting task of self-promotion, and the fear of rejection. Yet, in the end, it is the passion to create that drives me
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started my career as a watercolorist before transitioning to oils, where I was instantly captivated by the medium’s lush, buttery consistency. My watercolor background heavily influences my oil process, particularly in how I use loose, thin washes for underpaintings to let the luminous base shine through. As a modern impressionist, I am deeply drawn to the play of light and use of color. Known primarily for my historic street scenes, I find my greatest inspiration while walking down quaint avenues to capture the local terrain, architecture, and characters, dedicated to documenting these precious moments in time. Because developing a distinctive style is important to me, my proudest moments are when a viewer sees a piece and instantly knows it’s mine.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When I attended Flagler College, I often visited the studio of Emmett Fritz, a well-known St. Augustine artist who painted in plein air. He became a great inspiration to me and truly shaped my love for painting. My advice for anyone starting out is to immerse yourself in the local art community. I highly recommend joining local art organizations and attending art openings and museums. Jacksonville has a thriving arts scene, and groups like the First Coast Plein Air Painters and Urban Sketchers of Jacksonville are fantastic for meeting artists of all levels. They provide a great environment where you can learn and feed off one another’s energy.
Pricing:
- Small paintings from 8″x10 to 16″x20 range from$600 to $1300
- Larger paintings up to 36″x40″ run from $1800 to $4000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MGFergusonFineArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mgfergusonfineart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MGFergusonFineArt/
