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Glenn B. Martin's Art History

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1961

Rode first wave on Velzy 9' at Sharks Cove next to Little Harbor, Catalina Island.

1971

First visit to Hawaii, lived in A-frame at Chun's Reef.

1972

Kawala Bay. Kimo Hollinger was my neighbor. Rick Irons built a shaping room at our beach bungalow for its peace and privacy.

I took to big wave riding thanks to Rick, Kimo and Butch Van Arstan, who gave me the knowledge of approaching close-out sets and how to avoid getting caught inside.

Phil Braun, one of the hottest glassers on the North Shore at that time, was my roommate. We claim credit for being the first to put pen and watercolor designs onto rice paper then laminating these onto surfboards, also creating pinlines from pen and ink.

1973

Grand opening of Del Webb's Kuilima, where I was a waiter for two years and benefited from a gathering place of future World Hall of Fame Surfers.

Summer '73 Maui: A love of tropical sailing was in my blood. Sailed on Barry Hilton Jr.'s two wooden classic Alden Schooners, 75' Teragram (Margaret spelled backwards) and 45' Golden Hind, which reefed and sank in the South Pacific.

1975-80

Worked for Island Yacht Sailboat, Orange County. In 1980 left the boat building business. That summer, made my first voyage to the Hawaiian Islands on an Islander 36 personally built with my father.

1981

Moved to West Maui to pursue my artistic goals. The island was becoming the focus to the art world of successful artists. Chris Lassen was my next door neighbor at Mala Wharf, sharing experiences and talent.

1983

I caught up with my father in Cabo. He had traded the 36 Islander for a beautiful Peterson 44, staysail sloop. Sailed and surfed the next two years, Hawaiian Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Tahitian Islands, Cook Islands. Anchored in Bora Bora, noticed a bare wall in the Ora Ora resort dining room. Convincing the owner, painted a mural in one and one-half weeks for food and bar tab for self and crew. The entertainment drew local Island viewers leaving shell necklaces, fruit, flowers and warm hearts on our departure to yet another adventure. The word was out and resort managers were inviting me to paint at their island resorts. In many of these resorts, you may walk in and see one of many Glenn Martin 4'x8' plywood mural oil paintings hanging in the dining or bar room.

1986

Southern California. Half my heart was left in the South Pacific. Became the "Woody" car artist taking my pen and ink talent to the creation of "Woody" designs that were then silk-screened onto T-shirts. Designed the event shirt for the return of the Huntington Beach Longboard Contest. A shirt is in a 100-year time capsule at Main and PCH.

1992

Europe, Biarritz. Spring of '92 I met up with my early North Shore days' roommate Mike McNeil, manager for Quicksilver, Na Palai; sharing and catching up on 12 years. Visiting castles, churches, and museums, I was astounded by man's lifetime achievement in art structures that left visions and emotions in my soul and heart.

Upon return from Europe, I found that my artistic vision had matured and blended with my vivid tropical colors.

 

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