Jude Martin

Jude Martin brings boundless energy and childlike wonder to her vibrant acrylic works.

Born in Johannesburg, she spent endless hours drawing through her childhood, later finding inspiration in the naivety of children's work and the everyday paintings that surround us in the world.

Working primarily in acrylics, Jude has developed a distinctive style that is prolific, naïve, eclectic, and impressionistic. Her unconventional techniques include painting upside down - a method taught to her by established artist Lib Stewart, who turned her canvas upside down mid-painting and declared "you're lazy to think, this will help you concentrate." From that moment, her work began to sell extremely well.

Jude's favoured approach involves minimal brushwork, instead using her hands and fingers, painting directly from bottles with nozzles, and dragging slender sticks through paint. This tactile method allows her fast-drying acrylics to keep pace with her imagination, creating works that radiate optimism and transformation.

Previously known as Judy Wentzel, Jude is a beloved figure in Durban's art scene. An avid animal activist and champion of children's welfare, she has held exhibitions as far as Mauritius, with proceeds supporting animal welfare causes.

Drawing inspiration from masters like Monet, Modigliani, and Irma Stern, Jude believes that any art - even a child's drawing - can be magnificent if it touches the viewer.

Her philosophy is simple: "Paint from your belly because when you're painting, serotonin enters your system. Paint is my vitamin for life."

Currently, we offer a large selection of Jude's works as high-quality prints, making her joyful vision accessible to a wider audience while she continues to create works that encourage viewers to see the world with naivety and openness.