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Double Shift: The Tradesman and Oil Painter Working Towards a Full-Time Art Career

Double Shift is a conversation series that highlights real-life experiences of artists who don’t make a full-time living from their art—or at least their studio practice. It is not uncommon for artists to juggle different jobs or mix other creative work with other kinds of work to support themselves, and this series aims to show that there isn’t just one way to be an artist. In this penultimate edition, I speak with painter Martin Wright—someone I worked with early on in my career when we both worked predominately in street art. In this conversation, he talks about how he balances his art practice with his job as a self-employed floor layer. Based in Derbyshire, Martin paints plein air (open air), creating landscapes that he describes as impressionistic with a touch of realism.

Currently, around 20% of Martin’s income comes from his art—through commissions, online sales and fairs. The other 80% comes from his trade work fitting luxury vinyl flooring, which he also considers a creative profession. He installs detailed, patterned floors like herringbone and parquet, and takes great pride in the craft. He is currently working to increase his art income to 40% as he journeys to becoming a full-time artist.

A huge thank you to Martin for taking the time to chat whilst working away in his studio! In our conversation, Martin shares his journey to becoming a painter, how he balances two careers, the pivotal moments that planted the seed for both floor laying and painting, and how one discipline feeds into the other. He also talks about his ambitions to go full-time—and much more. Click below to listen (23 minutes).

martinwrightart.com

instagram.com/martinwright

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