We wanted to know more about this colorful mind and sat down to ask the most important life questions;

Surf-fur: What's your favorite color? 

Martin: I am torn between Cereulean blue and kings blue, but red looks so good when it's first squirt out of the tube. I am also really into pink right now. I also like dark lapis and oxford blue. I like color.

Surf-fur: Are you an ocean or land guy?

Martin: Well, I am a trail runner and I really love the trees. I did the Lavaman two years in a row which is a race with a one mile swim, 20 mile bike, and a 6 mile run. I did it as a relay with two other people. Our first year we got fourth place! I am afraid of the ocean so I would say I am a land guy.

Surf-fur: What is your favorite medium?

Martin: Acrylics and, well, I love Koa wood, but I keep going back to canvas. Koa wood is my second favorite. There are a lot of things that you can't take from the island like volcanic rock and plants, but you can take Koa wood. If you sand it down and add color it's so pretty.

Surf-fur: Why are you afraid of the ocean?

Martin: It's just so huge! I am a person who likes control and I feel out of control in the ocean. I have gone snorkeling in 35 feet of water and was mesmerized by what I saw underwater. I would forget to breathe if I went down. I won't go alone and I bring my pool noodle.

Surf-fur: Yeah, you should never dive alone anyway. And remember to breathe. That's important.

Martin: And I am always looking for that dark shadow in the water at the beach. When I took my niece to the beach, I was looking at the shadows in the water and then I would run up to the lifeguard and make sure he has seen what I see and they are always rays or something. I freak myself out!

Surf-fur: Is there anything else you want people to know about your art?

I take inspiration from the land so I need to give back to it. Wild Hawaii.org devotes itself to protecting native species and cleans up the water and land. Every sale of one of my paintings equals a donation to this organization.