Meet Martha Fletcher

 

We recently connected with Martha Fletcher and have shared our conversation below.

Martha, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I didn’t have to search far to understand the meaning of resilience—I saw it in my parents.

They endured an insurmountable loss that could have broken them. And yet, they kept going. Not without sorrow. Not without moments of unraveling. But with a quiet, unwavering resolve to keep living, loving, and showing up for me and my sister. Their resilience wasn’t loud or dramatic. It lived in the everyday acts of courage—rising each morning, finding reasons to smile through the pain, and planting seeds of hope even when the future felt uncertain.

I carry that example with me. They showed me that resilience isn’t about being unshakable—it’s about choosing to rebuild, even when you’re broken. It’s about holding space for pain without letting it define you. This is the legacy they gave me: the strength to keep moving forward, even when everything feels like it’s standing still.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m an artist working in the space between abstract expressionism and modernist abstraction. My work explores simplicity, space, and bold yet balanced compositions—often through acrylic and mixed media. I’m drawn to the power of restraint, the rhythm of geometry, and the quiet energy that lives in negative space.

What excites me most about creating is the feeling of possibility. Stepping into the studio feels like stepping into a world of potential—full of joy, curiosity, and creative freedom. I love sketching out a concept and watching it evolve—shifting and taking shape until it finally comes to life on the canvas. That transformation is magical every single time.

Interestingly, I wasn’t always an artist. I actually began as a gallery owner—curating, connecting, and celebrating the work of others. Then one day, I picked up a canvas and tried to paint something myself. It was fun, so I kept going. When I sold my first piece shortly thereafter, my confidence began to build. I didn’t have a formal style. I just saw things I liked and gave them a try. It was play, it was expression—and it lit me up.

Over the last two years, that experimentation led me to a deep love of geometric shapes and color blocks. They’re fun to paint and offer endless possibilities for exploration. My current series, Brave, fits beautifully into the minimalist abstract and pastel geometric genre. But more than that, it carries a message—one rooted in courage and resilience, especially for children navigating challenges at school or home.

To create something that resonates with someone else—that brings them joy, calm, or a sense of hope—is what it’s all about for me. I want my art to feel personal. I want it to mean something. When someone hangs one of my pieces in their home, I hope it’s not just aesthetically pleasing but also adds emotional value to their space and their life.

My gallery, Fletcher Fine Art Studio, is located in Arvada, Colorado and open by appointment. You can also explore my work through my website and Etsy shop. Wherever it lives, my goal is for each piece to spark a moment of connection, curiosity, and color.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been curiosity, courage, and consistency.

Curiosity is what led me to pick up that first canvas and brush. I didn’t know what I was doing—I just knew I wanted to try. That willingness to explore without pressure or perfection allowed me to play, discover, and ultimately find my voice. For anyone starting out: follow what fascinates you. Try new techniques, materials, and styles. Let yourself be a beginner.

Courage is what kept me going. Putting your art into the world can be vulnerable. You’re exposing a part of yourself. But bravery doesn’t have to be loud—it can be quiet persistence. Keep showing up. Share your work. Know that your voice has value. Even small acts of courage build momentum.

Consistency is what helped me grow. Even when I wasn’t sure where I was headed, I kept creating. The more you paint, the more your instincts sharpen and your confidence grows. Set aside time to create regularly—even if it’s just a sketch or a small experiment. The habit of making is what moves you forward.

If you’re early in your journey, give yourself permission to enjoy the process. Don’t wait for clarity before you start—clarity comes through doing. Be kind to yourself, and keep going. There’s no one right path—just your path, unfolding one brave step at a time.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One of the most impactful books in my personal and creative journey has been The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. It came into my life at the perfect time—when I was stepping into a more authentic version of myself, both as an individual and as an artist.

The biggest gift that book gave me was the reminder that we are not our thoughts. That may sound simple, but it was incredibly liberating. As a creative person, it’s easy to get caught up in overthinking—worrying about whether something is “good enough,” comparing yourself to others, or letting doubt creep in. The Untethered Soul helped me understand that those thoughts can come and go like clouds in the sky—but they don’t define who I am or what I’m capable of.

Another concept that stuck with me is the idea of letting go. Letting go of control, letting go of fear, letting go of the need for things to unfold a certain way. That message shows up in my art. I’ve learned to trust the process more—to let the work evolve without forcing it. Sometimes the most beautiful moments come when I get out of the way and just allow.

Finally, one of my favorite quotes from the book is: “Do not let anything that happens in life be important enough that you’re willing to close your heart over it.” The message is clear—stay open. Open to life, to emotion, to the full human experience. That kind of openness has been vital to my creativity. It’s what allows me to connect with others through my work. When I create from that place—of presence, trust, and vulnerability—my work resonates on a deeper level.

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