James Martin – Illustrator

James Martin is currently a Faculty member in the Illustration department at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Received his B.F.A. in Illustration from the The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Upon graduation he worked for the comic legend Neal Adams as a storyboard and movie poster sketch artist. A freelance career followed in L.A.’s film and advertising industry including: Lorne Michaels, Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, The Grammy Awards, Mattel, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, The Disney Magazine, Lightstorm Entertainment, Marvel Comics and commissions from directors James Cameron and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. For over 20 years he has worked as a Background painter, Visual Development artist, Texture and Matte Painter for Walt Disney Feature Animation and  DreamWorks Animation. Working on such films as: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Tarzan, Treasure Planet, Over the Hedge, Shrek 4, Puss in Boots and How to Train Your Dragon I and II. He has taught for Art Center College of Design, California State University Long Beach, Concept Design Academy, Laguna College of Art and Design, and The Academy of Art University. He has also conducted painting and drawing workshops for the artists at DreamWorks Animation.