We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Spencer Martin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Spencer below.
Hi Spencer, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
When I first started teaching I questioned my impact and wondered what I had to possibly contribute. I had to now utilize all that I’ve worked towards in order to inspire. Thus began a self evaluation of my entire existence.
Thankfully this had just been the initial fears of an inexperienced educator. At that moment of doubt, it was my intentions that validated my presence. Working with students of all ages has been fantastic. I’ve been reminded of my initial reasons for pursuing visual arts. A time in which drawing for me was purely for the love of it without a single thought of financial incentive. I cannot describe how grateful I am for the career I’ve chosen and the people it allows me to interact with.
During moments of uncertainty share your frustrations or bounce your ideas off of a trusted person. For me, I have been very thankful to have the amazing support of my girlfriend Hana Khan and her parents. Some thoughts shouldn’t live in a vacuum and exciting things can happen from another person’s input. They also bring you back to reality when you’ve been talking to yourself for maybe too long.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
The days I’m not teaching I devote to my freelance career. I use my knowledge of both analog and digital materials to continually practice and improve my abilities. Current studio time has been dedicated to experimentation with different media and the acquisition of new creative skills. My designs tend to invoke attention through bold and surreal compositions.
Working freelance allows me the privilege to pursue partnerships and working relationships that I feel are beneficial to all parties. I have been focusing on family owned businesses, small-box retailers, non-profits, and charitable organizations. The satisfaction that comes with contributing to other’s dreams while supporting my own is monumental. I am always looking for the next place or project to apply my expertise and would love to work with you in the future. My online portfolio is consistently updated and would encourage you to reach out through my website for any inquiries.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Humility – In order to grow in my abilities and through my efforts I first needed to realize that my brain is incapable of knowing everything. I can now find comfort in the fact that there is no end goal to the pursuit of knowledge and that satisfaction is derived from the process. I would hate for my ears to ever be closed to the wisdom or the perspective of another passionate person. Your ability to understand right from wrong can become skewed if you lack the strength to recognize your own fallacies.
Confidence – My emotional confidence has been reinforced by lived experience and established through consistent engagement in communication. Grounded by the previous quality, you are assured of what you know by acknowledging the things you don’t understand. Researching and practicing every aspect of your trade will help you be more assertive in your professional desires. If you are an individual who seeks to fight for the unheard and champion for the forgotten, you must develop the voice to do so.
Compassion – I believe that patience is the foundation. Kindness in response to anger, violence, fear, or irritation can have profound effects on the root issue. I try my best to empathize before reacting with a perceived solution. Compassion is a characteristic that deserves to be applied to every human being regardless of judgement. It can be a difficult for those who don’t receive it themselves and I always remind myself of that.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
“Mr.Martin I have a question.” To my memory, It had been the first time someone used my last name to address me with such confidence. This newfound seniority caused a switch to go off in my brain. I was no longer Spencer the student and I had now assumed a role of immense responsibility. My childhood goal of becoming an educator had finally been met; a dream inspired by the teachers that guided me along the way. My philosophy of teaching is to relate visual arts to student’s individual joys and aspirations. You never understand what a child is going through outside the classroom so I try my best to be a positive in their day.
My comfortability as a leader has been my greatest improvement this past year.
I continue to work as a teacher in a traditional setting and also a teaching artist with Arts for Learning (A4L), a non-profit organization empowering youth through the arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: spencermartinillustration.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-martin-76116420b/
