Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Case Nemer.
Martha Case, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began painting many years ago as a hobby while working alongside my husband in our luxury fashion retail business, “The Cotton Mill, Incorporated”. After retiring, painting became an even more important and meaningful part of my days.
Then, about 12 years ago, a friend asked if I would consider being the “featured artist” at a local art show, “Art On The West Side”. That changed everything. That experience gave me the confidence and courage to take my art more seriously and to begin sharing my work with a much larger audience.
Since that first show, I’ve participated in more than 50 art shows and events around the , each one helping me grow as an artist and bringing wonderful people and opportunities into my life. What began simply as a hobby has become an incredibly rewarding second career – and one I never could have imagine all those years ago.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like most artists, I’ve experienced plenty of self-doubt and have had to learn not to measure success by whether a painting sells or how others might respond to my work. Putting something so personal out into the world can make you feel very vulnerable.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning to trust my own instincts – to paint what feels authentic to me rather than what I think others might want. There have been disappointing shows, paintings that simply didn’t work, and plenty of times when I questioned myself…but each one of those experiences taught me something.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known for my colorful, expressive work and for painting intuitively. I rarely begin with a detailed plan. I let a painting evolve as I work, following color, movement and emotion until it feels complete. My hope is always that my work brings a sense of joy and connection to the person who lives with it.
But what I’m most proud of has very little to do with my art career. In 2000, I founded THE MELVIN CASE CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION in memory of my late brother. For more than 25 years, the foundation has given a little extra love to those in need at Christmastime and throughout the year – a portion of all my art sales are donated to the foundation. Knowing that something created out of loss has brought happiness to so many is one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my life.
What sets me apart as an artist is probably the life experience I bring to my work. I came to art as a second career after spending many, many years in luxury fashion, so I’ve had a strong appreciation for color, style and beautiful surroundings. I also don’t feel the need to stay within one particular subject matter. I paint figures, faces, florals, angel, abstracts – whatever inspires me at the moment. At this stage of my life and career, I’m much more interested in creating work that feels authentic, joyful and unmistakably mine.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe some of the most rewarding things in life happen when we’re willing to take a chance. I don’t necessarily think of myself as a big risk taker, but looking back, I realize that many of the best things in my life have come from saying “yes” before I knew exactly where it would lead.
Becoming a full-time artist later in life was certainly a risk. Putting my work out into the world, entering shows, approaching galleries, trying new styles and allowing my work to evolve all required a certain amount of courage. As an artist, you also have to accept that not every painting will work, every show will be successful, or every opportunity will lead somewhere.
I would much rather look back and know that I tried than wonder what might have happened if I had.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marthacasenemerart.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/ArtbyMarthaCaseNemer
- TikTok: TikTok.com/MarthaCaseNemerArt
