Martin Holt

Martin was born in London where he somehow survived the English school system, graduated from London University in architecture and spent a year at art school.

After working for a short time in a large office in London, he decided that he would be better on his own and started his own practice He was good at his profession and even won a few prizes but he also enjoyed doing funny drawings all over his clients' plans. From this beginning, it seems his path was chosen for him and gradually he began to concentrate entirely on caricature and cartoon.

On the way to becoming a full time artist, he worked as a free lance graphic artist, drove an ambulance, played guitar in a jazz band, managed a riding school and worked through the restaurant business from washer-up to chef. His speciality is Indian food which he hasn't cooked for 16 years since no-one in his family likes curry.

Martin opened his first gallery in 1987. Today, his work is recognized internationally and is featured in important collections and galleries world wide. His first cartoon book, Masks, was a vicious satire on the Gulf War.

He has not neglected the spiritual side of life. He is both a Shiatsu and Reiki master. He is a happy family man with a super wife, a step-daughter who is a photographer and very artistic and two great kids aged thirteen and seven, both of whom draw beautifully. Visit Martin's website at: http://www.shadma.com/