19. Vickie Martin

Guelph artist explores the mind through painting

Guelph-based artist Vickie Martin opens up about her life, her art, and the importance of exploration

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY TAYLOR PIPE

In the early 90s Vickie Martin was walking down Wyndham Street in downtown Guelph after being diagnosed with adult-onset visual impairment. After finding out her life would be forever changed due to her vision loss, she couldn't help but cry.

However, something inside Martin told her to stop where she was.

After collecting herself, Martin turned around and found herself standing in front of Wyndham Art Supplies, an independent retailer of art materials.

“I went in there not knowing anything,” Martin said. “I said that I wanted to learn how to paint and needed the stuff for it.”

Martin paused for a second, then laughed.

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

Martin grew up in Oakville, Ont. As a child, she wasn’t necessarily interested in art, but more in entertaining herself through various activities.

“There were always crafts that we did,” Martin said. “I used to sew and make all my own patterns for my clothes and we drew and did that type of thing. But it wasn’t like that was the direction I was going to take.”

She enjoyed math, especial-