Artist: Kat Martin

www.etsy.com/shop/Killerwhaleartist

Biography

My love and passion for marine and wildlife was always much more profound than anyone could have ever imagined. I grew up in Nevada for almost my entire life. I never truly had the chance to become acquainted with the ocean and its wonders until 2021. I moved to the Pacific Northwest with hopes of pursuing my dreams of becoming a marine naturalist, artist, and ocean advocate.

In 2021, I officially opened up my business, Killerwhaleartist, for full time operations. This career path was a large stepping stone for me and allowed me to truly expand my horizons and meet new people. I also received my marine naturalist training in 2022 and 2023 and have a special affinity for cetaceans of all kinds, especially killer whales.

Most of my days are spent in my studio space creating highly customized whale artwork for folks around the world, or out by the water watching for whales along the shoreline. It is thanks to my daring leap to move to the Pacific Northwest that I was able to find my sense of place in this world and continue to be a powerful advocate for the animals that mean so much to me.

Artist Statement

I use my artist gifts to give a voice to those who have none. To raise armies comprised of those who want to make a difference. My art calls to action the passionate and anyone who wants to daringly step into the fight. My art and the subjects within it is the way I can truly reach people. Sometimes words are not what's needed.

If you can give the audience that visual, that representation, of the severity of the issue, you get them to stop and think. It forces the viewer to actually see, not just hear, what's going on. I want that power to thunder across the world and inspire others to care as deeply as I do.

Kat Martin: The Last Salmon
2024 - Digital

About the Art:: Many years ago, I painted an art piece with a handful of orcas surrounding one salmon. At the time, the message hit home for a lot of people, but it wasn’t as powerful as I needed it to be. I then had the idea to remake the piece but with every living southern resident left in the population. That was it. That was my message. Every living southern resident killer whale fits into one small art piece. How scary is that?