. . .

About me

Hello! I'm a polish-born illustrator and graphic designer with a passion for printmaking, currently residing and working from East London.

Born in 1980, I spent my adolescent years traveling, studying, partying and doodling relentlessly. In 2001, after concluding that Architecture is not a career I'd like to pursue further, I took a decision to move to UK. First 3 years I spent in Edinburgh and later I settled in London, where eventually I graduated from University of East London with First Class BA (Hons) in Illustration and Printmaking. While at Uni my sweat and tears were rewarded twice with: 2012 UEL Print Olympics FabPad Prize and 2013 Thames Barrier Print Studio Printmaking Student Award.

Since graduating in 2013, I was busy designing and screen printing for my own ethical and ecological clothing brand 10tacled, but also freelancing occasionally with a range of international clients (New Scientist, Monokoto, Art Brut, The Rifffs). In 2015, I became involved in designing jewellery for a startup brand Magpie's Loot, which successful collaboration later led me to design their brand identity and web presence. In 2017, I teamed up with two other local designers (Magpie's Loot and Verry Kerry) to open Bamboo & Bee, an artist-led boutique and studio in Bethnal Green, in the heart of London's East End.

Last year (2019), rather than having a finger in every pie, I decided to focus 100% on my illustration career, since drawing (or visual problem solving) is something that makes me genuinely happy. I'm currently very lucky to work with various breweries, as beer label design was something that I admired since the craft beer revolution started, and as my friend put it looking at one of my designs: "Whenever you get depressed, remember that you draw flying pigs for a living!"

When it comes to work, despite being proficient in digital ways (Adobe Suite, HTML), my preferred weapon of choice is always pen and ink. Even though I spend countless hours glued to the screen working on Photoshop or Illustrator, what really makes me tick is to get absolutely filthy with inks while screen printing and etching or draw some blood while lino-cutting!

What I'd like to do next. I would love to illustrate few album covers or music posters, a book cover would definitely be something that I'd never say no to, I have tried editorial in the past and really enjoyed it, but my ultimate goal must be a children's picture book. It is something that has been on the back of my head for the past 10 years, since I've got kids. I've always spent countless hours drawing with my kids and relearning from them how to draw freely and carelessly, a skill that many adults loose when they grow up. I also believe that a good kid's book is the best teaching tool and therefore a real privilege for the author, as we all remember our favourite first books for the rest of our lives!

See full profile details

Martin's work

Surface Design for Textile Printing

67
2

Surface Design for Textile Printing

Editorial Illustration for New Scientist

171
1

Editorial Illustration for New Scientist

Linocut Editorial Illustrations

364
2

Linocut Editorial Illustrations

Just Keep Swimming

123
4

Just Keep Swimming

Arthur - Children's Book Character Development

215
4

Arthur - Children's Book Character Development

Calavera t-shirt design for 10tacled Clothing

131
3

Calavera t-shirt design for 10tacled Clothing

Medusa t-shirt design for 10tacled Clothing

382
10

Medusa t-shirt design for 10tacled Clothing

Linocut t-shirt designs for 10tacled Clothing

383
5

Linocut t-shirt designs for 10tacled Clothing

Collection of hand-drawn Greeting Cards

67
4

Collection of hand-drawn Greeting Cards

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Little White Lies front cover

108
0

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Little White Lies front cover

Floating House - The Geometry of Living

60
0

Floating House - The Geometry of Living

The Geometry of Living - Towers

370
7

The Geometry of Living - Towers

OOPS - LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE JAVASCRIPT OFF. THIS SITE WON'T WORK WITHOUT IT.
NEED HELP IN TURNING IT ON? YOU CAN FIND INSTRUCTIONS HERE FOR YOUR BROWSER.