Born into a bustling family as the second youngest of nine siblings, Martin J Day grew up
surrounded by creativity, hard work, and a touch of Irish and Scottish heritage. His father,
Brian was a skilled builder, while his mother, Cherie, devoted herself to homemaking.
Both parents, however, discovered their artistic talents later in life—a path Martin would
follow from a much younger age.
Martin’s passion for art ignited at just eight years old when he watched in awe as his
father, Brian, effortlessly sketched a lifelike portrait of a family friend at the dinner table.
That single moment sparked a lifelong love for drawing, one that would take him from
the family home to the world stage.
By the age of 15, Martin had enrolled in an illustration course at the Adelaide College of
the Arts, balancing his passion for art with a traineeship in building under his father’s
watchful eye. Later, he formalised his skills by earning a diploma in graphic design and
illustration from the same college.
Opportunity soon knocked when Martin, armed with little more than a handful of college
sketches, attended an interview at TNT Leisure Brisbane. His talent was undeniable,
earning him the role of Queensland’s first official portrait artist at the 1988 Brisbane
World Expo. Nestled on the southern boardwalk, Martin’s portrait studio became a
vibrant hub, where he sketched over 1,800 pastel portraits and figure
illustrations—artworks that now grace homes worldwide.
Expo organisers also tapped into Martin’s creative spirit, commissioning him to design
and construct a mobile mural celebrating the Brisbane Expo. Painted alongside fellow
artists during the event’s final parades, this monumental piece found its home in the
office hallway of Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, Sally-Anne Atkinson.
After the Expo, Martin established a portrait studio in Brisbane’s McWhirters
Marketplace, while continuing to paint murals throughout the city and its suburbs. Among
his notable commissions were portraits of country music icons Lee Conway and Chad
Morgan. During this period, Martin also honed his craft as a traditional signwriter,
working on prestigious projects such as the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast, where he
created opulent aged gold and marble effects throughout the hotel’s interiors.
In the early ’90s, Martin took his artistic talents to the courtroom, working for Channel
10 Brisbane as a court artist and illustrator. Beginning with the landmark Fitzgerald
Inquiry and continuing through the CJC trial of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Martin captured
the faces of infamous figures like Police Commissioner Terry Lewis and notorious
underworld characters. His powerful courtroom illustrations became hot property,
snapped up by news stations locally and internationally.
For a decade, Martin’s creative energy poured into the souvenir industry, where his
designs for WW Souvenirs and Souvenirs Australia became sought after by tourists from
around the globe. His wildlife artistry also flourished during this time, earning him accolades, including a highly commended award at the 1998 Queensland Newspapers
Ken Cowley Art Competition for his striking illustration “Nesting Ground.”
Tragedy struck in 2007 when Martin fell from a six-meter scaffold, shattering his wrist
and nearly losing his lower right arm. After six arduous surgeries and years of
rehabilitation under the skilled care of Dr Michael Thomas, Martin’s hand eventually
regained its dexterity—a triumph of will and perseverance.
Today, after a long and determined journey of recovery, Martin has reignited his passion
for wildlife art with renewed vigour. His stunning acrylic and pastel masterpieces—alive
with the spirit and grace of Australian fauna—are earning accolades and captivating
audiences at exhibitions both locally and internationally. Martin’s triumphant return to the
art world was marked by winning the Talent Prize at the 2023 “Animal International
Juried Art Contest” in Los Angeles for his exquisite pastel drawing, Surveillant Poise.
The following year, his momentum continued when his striking acrylic painting of a Kite
was honoured with the “Best in Show” award at the prestigious 40th anniversary
Queensland Wildlife Artists Society Mt Coot-tha exhibition, a gathering of some of
Australia’s most accomplished wildlife artists
Martin J Day’s story is one of passion, resilience, and artistic evolution—a journey from
the dinner table sketch to the global stage, proving that art truly has the power to heal,
inspire, and transcend