Tracker Pixel for Entry

Artist Ted Martin’s art on view at Mind Virus

Arts | November 13th, 2024

By Sabrina Hornung

sabrina@hpr1.com

Ted Martin, retired educator and western North Dakota native, currently has his art on view at Mind Virus Counter-Culture Books and Media. The exhibition features Martin’s colorful ink drawings and will be on display from November 15 through December 1. The exhibit launches with a pre-show artist discussion on Friday, November 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

When asked if there was a common theme in his work, Martin said, “Male nudity? The male form — actually, the human form — is really interesting to draw. It's kind of interesting too, because a lot of people that I draw come here more for the aspect that they're exhibitionist or they want the erotic thing, but to me, it's just drawing. So my attitude is, you pose for me. I'll draw whatever.”

Martin mentioned he had an art school background, but picked up the pen again after his friend and fellow art educator encouraged him to continue to take classes. Drawing had always been a means of expression for Martin.

“I grew up on a farm in a large family— lots of talkers in my family — so I tended to kind of hide out in the corner and draw just for my own peace of mind,” he said. “I grew up drawing cows and chickens, horses and people. I remember quite a bit when I was younger. I had two younger sisters, they would get paper dolls from their one cousin, and I would make them the clothing for their paper dolls.”

It’s billed as a solo show. But in addition to Martin’s drawings, there will also be a few collaborations between him and fellow artist D’Mitry Lewman.

“He's 20 and very, very artistic and we've been collaborating on different things,” said Martin. “He is the one that got me motivated to start showing art, because I would just pack up. I don't care if anybody sees it or not. The show will have some of his work, some of my work, and some of our collaborations.”

Ted’s drawings have a great illustrative quality with a limited palette, while D’Mitry’s work is largely sculptural. Some of Martin’s work on view will be paired with D’Mitry’s creations, particularly his My Little Ponies.

“He's recreating them,” explains Martin. “Like there's the BDSM pony and the devil pony and the Grindr pony. They're not the original My Little Pony, they're the bootleg My Little Ponies. He got his acetone out and took off the little symbols and put new ones on and painted others. They are his paper dolls, except they're three dimensional.”

Ted lived in the Black Hills for a number of years and made mention that the artists of the Black Hills primarily focused on Western themes, landscapes and wildlife. He attended drawing groups and even mentioned there being a gay drawing group.

“Here, I can't even find a figure drawing group,” he said. “When I was there, I was drawing wildlife and that kind of thing. When I moved here, you'd have to drive way to Kindred to find cattle and then they'd move away from the road. There are no bison here to draw. I just couldn't really find a source of wildlife that inspired me.”

Martin had to get creative.

“So I just started having guys come in and pose,” he said. “And for the first number of years that I lived here, I paid two or three models to pose for me every week– just so that I would be inspired to draw. When you have a model, you have to draw, otherwise you kind of forget about drawing. So then I just built up a reputation, and I have lots of people come and pose for me. I no longer pay for models. The wildlife in the Rapid City area was bison and deer and here, it’s just men.”

IF YOU GO

Ted Martin Exhibition

November 15-December 1

Mind Virus Counter-Culture Books and Media

124 8th St. N., Fargo

https://www.facebook.com/people/Mind-Virus-Counter-Culture-Books-and-Media/61558492252195/

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com Ten North Dakota communities will participate in the nationwide No Kings Day of Peaceful Action on October 18. The grassroots movement is a nonviolent protest against President Trump’s…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu I would like to recognize some of the scholarly Germans from Russia from Canada and USA shared on the GRHC website. There are additional names not included here. If you have suggestions…

Friday, October 31, doors 8 p.m. show starts at 8:30 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe annual Aquarium Halloween Cover Show is back and it is stacked. And this time there are a limited amount of presale…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com At the end of September, downtown Fargo said goodbye to another old friend; the Spirit Room closed its doors, marking the end of an era. The Spirit Room room has been a fixture downtown for the…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comAnother public health crisis besides guns: lack of empathyThe Sisters of Charity have finally had enough of their Trumper boss, Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York. One of the most…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comNoémie Merlant, working from a script she wrote with Pauline Munier and her “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” collaborator Celine Sciamma, directs herself in “The Balconettes” (the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Gallery 4 downtown recently celebrated its 50 year anniversary, making it one of the longest consecutively running galleries in the country. With different membership tiers, there are 17 primary…

Press release“Shakespeare with a sharpened edge.” To launch its 2025 – 2026 season, Theatre NDSU is thrilled to team up with Moorhead-based organization Theatre B to perform a co-production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com When we are sick, all we want is a cure. You go to the doctor, they give you a pill, you take it for a bit, then you are cured. It happens. But unfortunately, it is not always the case. …

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.comMoral accountability and the crisis of leadership  As a recovering person living one day at a time for the last 35 years, I have learned not to judge others because I have not walked in…