Martin Saar
master chambers presents
Martin Saar
Martin Saar is a creative character who emanates mystery when in his presence. The guy who you can’t quite figure out. Somebody who is constantly on the move and changing. To illustrate this I would say he tends to show you the puzzle with a few pieces missing, providing the opportunity to think and come along for the journey. His formative years were spent in New York where he developed his creative vision. He now lives in Tallinn where it all started.
Martin is an amazing artist who dares to tackle painting, drawing, ceramics, and music with full confidence. He once opened his birthday with a piano concert and yes he was playing for all of his friends and family.
I was there and it was beautiful.
Martin Saar : Website Instagram
Photography & Interview : Silver Mikiver
What keeps you close to art?
It is still very exciting and interesting! The more I learn the more I can use that in whatever I create. When you do the math for example then it is way more interesting when you know the formula versus when you know nothing and just use random numbers. In art, it’s very similar in terms of how to mix the three main colors to get all the necessary tones. Previously I used warm and cold nuances of each color + black but now I only use red, blue, yellow, white, and burnt umber.
Painting is the only activity that is captivating enough, that create a charge in me. When I started I didn’t have the results I have now but I remember the magical feeling when I spent 10 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, or more on a single painting and how it started to form and come to life. It is fascinating. Magical creation.
I prefer art that touches and lifts the spirit. Art that makes me think. Often it doesn’t have to be realism or some grand piece, it can be a simple tone of color or a combination that creates a certain mood that I like.
What do you strive towards?
A lot of things that I dreamed about have come true. For example, living in SoHo (New York) as an artist, exhibiting my work in galleries, painting outdoors, traveling, and seeing other artist’s work in Prado museums. I remember when I saw Hieronymus Bosch's paintings in real life, it doesn’t compare when you see iconic pieces in a book or through a screen. Or even seeing the Mona Lisa with hundreds of people which is so small compared to Veronese's monumental Wedding Feast at Cana just on the opposite wall that is watched by just a couple of people.
What illustrates progress?
I started painting in 1998. When I look back at the progression I have had I can see how I started from zero and how it has developed until now. All the aspects have gotten better - use of the surface, creation of the mood, use of color, use of references which are not that direct (art history), the signal is stronger, content is better, more critical, a better understanding of the composition and so on. All of this adds more depth to the painting and hopefully provides a more interesting and clear message.
Only when the third or fourth layer of paint is added to the canvas it starts to buzz and with the seventh layer, it starts to work. This mix of coatings provides depth and meaning that tends to be missed often in contemporary art. Yes, the text can be good and the context also but if it stays on the surface it doesn’t convey the message and the potential is lost.
How to create something original?
That is a great question. I asked the same thing from ChatGBT. I wanted to know what the best possible panting people would need at this point and based on our previous dialogue it provided an answer. The painting is a landscape where you look down through the mountains with a waterfall going down to the valley while the Sun is starting to rise from the horizon.
I do sometimes think about what would people like to see. When I have painted with that motive in mind it never really works out. I try not to think about the audience and rather paint what I want to see and feel. Being original is therefore closely linked with the artist’s inner landscape and the trust toward self. To create a recognizable original style it also needs to be consistent and present in a series.
When I was around 24-25 years old I romanticised that I would work until 30 and then I am done. From that moment on I will just chill and do what I want. From 25-27, I created more work than ever before. When I was 28 the economy crashed and the next year it didn’t matter how great the paintings were because everything was upside down.
Coming back from a new place always feels like a level-up. Traveling provides me with new puzzle pieces and once I am back I will start forming the new puzzle.
This process informs new paintings, drawings, ceramics and music.
I like to be undisturbed in the mornings. Most of the time I wake up around 7 AM and paint until 12 PM. After that, I check my phone and do other necessary things that I have for the day. When I am at home I paint and play the piano almost every day.
What creates a meaningful life?
I would say diverse stability. When everything is the same for a long time you can’t hear your thoughts and things will start to feel dull and grey. When there is only diversity, the colors of life will easily overwhelm you, and make you feel like visiting three museums in a day. Finding the balance between the two is key. Playing with yes and no.
I think my role is to mirror back to people my feelings, thoughts, and visions which are largely emotions that we all experience. Sometimes the paintings act like layers of information that are conveyed through the shapes, colors and mood.
How do you define mastery?
To notice the work of a master you don’t have to be very educated. A masterful work speaks with emotions and shades of light. It presents a certain quality that comes with years of pursuing the craft. The mission is to find your strengths and develop your unique interests so that you can have an interesting perspective in telling your story.
When I started painting it took quite a long time to get it going. It was something I did when I had time after school, extreme sports, partying, and spending time with friends. In the beginning, it was more of a sorting process of ideas and putting them on the canvas. Now I consciously pick topics that lift and inspire. I think through why and what am I creating. Preparation and completing an art piece therefore takes a lot of time because there are more details to consider even though the quality and skills have improved.
The critical mind is always analyzing each step.
How to pursue self-expression?
If you haven’t found your primary interest I would suggest trying out different things that could be an alternative to the way you spend your typical weekday. What thoughts and interests come to the surface when you have free time? What would you do when you have everything you want? An interest will become a passion and passion will keep you on the journey of self-discovery.
captured on film ©Silver Mikiver