Me.jpg

Brett Martin is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer and an internationally exhibiting artist. 

In his illustration work, Brett specializes in intricate linework, palettes combining neons or pastels with earth tones, character design and hand lettering and has been featured in the worlds of literary and editorial publication, product packaging, signage, murals and numerous private commissions. His design experience lies in self-publishing, layout design, event marketing, branding, product and logo design and strives for clean legibility with subtle touches of his aesthetic signature.

Brett is an avid consumer of fantasy, sci-fi, nature programs and the occasional crime drama, genres which have inspired both his personal and professional portfolio. Outside of his creative work, one can usually find him travelling, baking, tending to his plants, snacking, petting cats or waiting tables.

Contact Brett [for contract work and commissions] : hello@bybrett.ca

 

 

selected events, Exhibitions, Publications and Other Work


2023

  • The Yuletide Market - Presented by Moonberry [art & design market] Northern Contemporary, Toronto, ON

  • Northern Contemporary Holiday Market [art & design market] Northern Contemporary, Toronto, ON

  • Toronto Queer Market [art & design market] Barbara Hall Park, Toronto, ON

  • Division ‘88 Sunday Market [art & design market] Division ‘88, Toronto, ON

2022

  • Northern Contemporary Holiday Market [art & design market] Northern Contemporary, Toronto, ON

  • Corner Market: Holiday Edition [art & design market] The Drake Hotel, Toronto, ON

  • Festive Fiends [zine]

2020

  • Rapture Vintage [branding and logo design for independent buyer and seller of vintage clothing and jewellery] @rapturevintage Vancouver, BC

  • Featured artist in the Scarlett Road Cycle Track Art Project with @start_streetartoronto [group mural project] Toronto, ON

  • Wine Club Toronto [branding and logo design for curated, low-intervention wine box program] @wineclub.to Toronto, ON

2019

  • Odd Rocket Festival Fundraiser [guest exhibitor] Tranzac Club, Toronto, ON

  • Featured illustrator in Broken Pencil issue 85 [zine culture and independent art magazine] Toronto, ON

  • Collective Arts Series 13 Launch [group exhibition] Mergeculture Gallery, Tampa, FL

  • Featured artist for Collective Arts Series 13 [craft beer label design] Collective Arts Brewing, Hamilton, ON

  • Returning judge focused on Overall Art Direction and Portrait Photography categories : IRMA Awards

  • Donated original drawing “Morgan” to silent auction in support of Gilda’s Club Toronto, Toronto, ON

  • Launched bybrettillustration [online shop]

2018

  • Pixel & Bristle : Winter Market [design market] The Drake Sky Yard, Toronto, ON

  • 4x4 and a Little More [group exhibition and art sale] Hashtag Gallery Ltd, Toronto, ON

  • The Canadian Cinema Art Show [group exhibition] Hashtag Gallery Ltd, Toronto, ON

  • Returning judge focused on Overall Art Direction and Portrait Photography categories : IRMA Awards

  • Featured illustrator in Foodies : Recipe Card Box-Set [group project] Light Grey Art Lab, Minneapolis, MN

  • Foodies [group exhibition] Light Grey Art Lab, Minneapolis, MN

  • Resurgence [group exhibition] Light Grey Art Lab, Minneapolis, MN

  • Broken Pencil Zine Review recognition for Confessions of a Busboy vol II [zine culture and independent art magazine] Toronto, ON

  • Drawn Conclusions [group exhibition] Hashtag Gallery Ltd, Toronto, ON

2017

  • Pixel & Bristle NYE 2017 feat. Brett Martin [pop-up shop] The Drake Commissary, Toronto, ON

  • Pixel & Bristle : Winter Market [design market] The Drake Underground, Toronto, ON

  • Pixel & Bristle feat. Brett Martin [pop-up shop] The Drake Commissary, Toronto, ON

  • PKMN [zine]

  • Pixel & Bristle : Summer Market [design market] The Drake Underground, Toronto, ON

  • Participating judge focused on Illustration and Portrait Photography categories : IRMA Awards

  • Season of the Bad Guys Club [zine]

  • Featured illustrator for The C Word - Series 1 [offensive greeting cards] Toronto/London, ON

2016

  • Canzine [comic/zine art festival] Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON

  • Monsters & Magic vol I & II [zine]

  • Featured illustrator in The Feathertale Review #17 [illustrated literary humour magazine] Ottawa, ON

  • Swash & Serif 3 [group exhibition] Annex Art Centre, Toronto, ON

  • Botanica [group exhibition] Light Grey Art Lab, Minneapolis, MN

  • RoboShow [group exhibition] Light Grey Art Lab, Minneapolis, MN

2015

  • Featured illustrator in Toronto Design Directory

  • Swash & Serif 2 [group exhibition] The Black Cat Gallery, Toronto, ON

  • Zine Dream 8 [comic/zine art festival] The Great Hall, Toronto, ON

  • Another Round, Please (Confessions of a Busboy vol II) [autobiographical comic]

  • Salutations from Scandinavia [zine]

  • Oh Orpheus [zine]

  • Toy Box (Homework) [group exhibition] Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, ON

2014

  • Zine Dream 7 [comic/zine art festival] Tranzac Club, Toronto, ON

  • Confessions of a Busboy vol I [autobiographical comic]

  • Featured illustrator OCADU Illustration Archive

  • GradEx 99 [student exhibition] OCADU, Toronto, ON

2013

  • Just A Peek [zine]