ABOUT
UK Artist Martin Bush
Martin Bush makes abstract paintings that move — energetic, instinctive and never polite. Colour and instinct collide in his work, creating pieces that are expressive, full of life, and the kind of art that grabs you before you’ve even worked out why. His paintings are spontaneous, emotional and unapologetically alive; art that hits you first and explains itself later.
Chalkboard to Murals 1989 - 1998
Martin Bush didn’t begin his career as a “real” artist — in fact, his first decade in the creative world happened almost by accident. What started as a way to fill a gap in his working life turned into a fully fledged business. His first jobs were simple: chalkboard artwork for local pubs and shops, earning a few pennies and a bit of curiosity. He took photos, made a tiny portfolio, and before long he was knocking on doors around Oxford, then hopping on buses to London, walking into cafés, pubs, restaurants and even nightclubs with his mini folio, explaining what he could do for them.
That’s when the idea hit: a full-time career as a commercial chalkboard mural artist — not just murals, but a whole creative service under one inventive umbrella. His mission was simple: be fun, be eye-catching, and get the message across. Every board was created on the spot, with bright colour, warm humour and styled lettering that gave each business its own personality. (Examples of this work will be linked soon.)
The work spread fast. Breweries loved his style — from the Firkin pub chain to independents across the South — and he became part of the furniture in many venues. He created murals for restaurants and nightclubs, including branding work for Ministry of Sound, and was often found up scaffolds painting the outside of buildings. A decade on, with several artists working alongside him, his chalkboard business had become a familiar sight across towns and cities throughout the UK.
After ten years, something shifted. He felt a pull he couldn’t quite name, so he stepped back, took a break, and travelled — eventually landing in Thailand. That’s where he picked up a canvas for the first time and began painting for himself. And that moment became the start of everything that followed.
What began in Thailand as an experiment quickly became a new direction. Painting moved from curiosity to obsession, and over the years Martin developed a bold, instinctive abstract language that felt entirely his own. His work is now held in private collections across the UK, Europe, the US and Asia, with commissions ranging from intimate pieces to large-scale centrepieces for homes and businesses.
Martin’s paintings are driven by rhythm, movement and emotional energy. He believes art should move you — physically, emotionally, viscerally — and his work invites viewers into a world of colour and sensation where each piece becomes an experience rather than an object.
Alongside his studio practice, Martin spent two years as Creative Director and co‑owner of Canvas Gallery in Plymouth, curating exhibitions and supporting regional artists through high‑quality contemporary shows. In mid‑2026 he stepped away from the gallery to refocus fully on his own work and push his painting into a new phase.
This new chapter is about both creating fresh work and revisiting the extensive body of paintings he has produced over the past two decades. Many of these works remain available, and reassessing them has become an important part of understanding the arc of his practice and where he is heading next.
Now entering his sixth decade, Martin sees this period not as a twilight stage but as a creative re‑birth — a shift into a deeper, more ambitious phase of his artistic life. With renewed clarity and direction, he continues to evolve his practice while re‑engaging with the paintings that shaped his journey.
A brief example of projects over 35 years creating
Selected Exhibitions & Projects
- Chalkboard & mural commissions across the UK (1989–1998) — pubs, cafés, restaurants, nightclubs & breweries
- Branding & promotional artwork for major venues including Ministry of Sound, Brighton clubs & the Firkin Pub chain
- Solo & group exhibitions across the South West, London & Thailand
- Large‑scale private commissions for collectors in the UK, Europe, the US & Asia
- Creative Director & co‑owner of Canvas Gallery, Plymouth (2024–2026)
- Collaborations with musicians, dancers & performance artists
Artist CV — Martin Bush
Profile
Contemporary abstract painter based in Plymouth, UK. Over two decades of studio practice developing a bold, instinctive visual language rooted in rhythm, movement and emotional energy. Exhibited across the UK and internationally, with work held in private and corporate collections worldwide.
Selected Exhibitions
- Solo exhibitions across Plymouth, Exeter, London & Thailand
- Group exhibitions throughout the South West & London
- Canvas Gallery curated shows (2024–2026)
- Collaborative exhibitions with musicians & performance artists
Full Exhibition History
2020s
2026
- Home Gallery Spring Exhibition
- Continue until May 2026 Curator and owner of Canvas Gallery Plymouth
2025
- Home Gallery Spring Exhibition
- Artober Joint Exhibition, Royal William Yard Plymouth
- Continue Curator and owner of Canvas Gallery Plymouth
2024
- From September, Curator and owner of Canvas Gallery Plymouth
- Home Gallery Solo Exhibitions; Spring & Summer Exhibition
- Plymouth Art Weekender, Canvas Gallery
2023
- The Mad Cow Gallery, Plympton
- Art Space Gallery, Ebrington Street, Plymouth
- “For One Day Only” Exhibition, Leadworks (June 9th)
- Home Frame Window Exhibition (June)
2022
- Quince Restaurant, Plymouth — Solo Exhibition (Nov 2022 – Present)
2021
- Host Gallery, Plymouth — August Exhibition
- Host Gallery — Solo Exhibition, "Once in a Life Time" (February)
2020
- Jaunty Seagull, Bude, North Cornwall (Oct 2020 – 2024)
2010s
2018–2019
- “20 Years As An Artist” Solo Exhibition, Guard House, Royal William Yard
- Drawn To London Exhibition, Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, Pall Mall
- Open Studios Plymouth Art Trail & Drawn to the Valley
- Plymouth Art Weekender
2017
- Solo Exhibition, Artizan Gallery, Torquay
- The Hidden Olive, Solo Expo Sutton Harbour, Plymouth
2016
- The Drake Manor Inn, Buckland Monachorum
- Plymouth Art Weekender
- Oxford International Art Fair
2015
- Solo Exhibition “Positive Path”, Melville Building, Martin Bush Gallery Royal William Yard, Plymouth
2014
- Plymouth County Council Art House Exhibition
2013
- Autumn Exhibition, Martin Bush Gallery Royal William Yard
- Tatton Park Flower Show
- Hampton Court Flower Show - Chimeric Aluminium Prints. Bronze Award.
2012
- Solo Exhibition “Wild and Free”, Martin Bush Gallery, New Cooperage Building, Royal William Yard
- Fringe Exhibition, British Art Show 7
2011
- Murray VW Showrooms — Solo Exhibition
- Spring/Summer Exhibition, Martin Bush Gallery Brewhouse Building, Royal William Yard
- Gallery in The Square, Usk, Wales
2010
- Gallery Guest House, Plymouth
- High Elm Manor with Brizatti Fine
- Kaya Gallery, Totnes
- 61 Walcott Street Gallery, Bath
- Bistro One, Solo Expo Jazz Series - Plymouth
2000s
2009–2012
- Exhibiting at Browns Hotel, Tavistock
- Exhibiting at Mill Street Restaurant, Chagford
2008
- Kaya Gallery, Totnes
- Summer Exhibition, Martin Bush Gallery Brewhouse Building, Royal William Yard, Plymouth
- Bistro One — Jazz Series
- Kaya Gallery, Barbican, Plymouth
- One Toe in the Water Gallery, Fowey
- Solo Exhibtion Bond Pearce, Plymouth
- Bistro One, Plymouth
2007
- Spring Exhibition, Martin Bush Gallery Brewhouse Building, Royal William Yard, Plymouth
- Exhibiting at Tamar Science Park - 4 Years
- Exhibiting at Millfields, Plymouth
- Joint Expo Ickenox Exhibition, Brick Lane, London
- Bistro One, Ebrington Street
2006
- Organiser and leader of Plymouth Art Fair, New Coopergae Building, Royal William Yard, Plymouth
- Joint Expo at Steps Gallery, Bristol
2005
- h.Art Hereford Art Week
2004
- Solo Exhibitions. Martin Bush Gallery, Tintern
- Joint Expo Ross-on-Wye International Festival
- Joint Expo White Space Gallery, Usk
- Forest of Dean Heritage Museum
2003
- Art Fair Engaging Arts, Manchester
- Verdi’s Café, Mumbles
- Karen Taylor Contemporary Art Gallery, Twickenham
- Lona House Gallery, Woodstock
- Solo Exhibitions. Martin Bush Gallery, Tintern
2002
- Art Fair, Business Design Center, Islington, London - My first major fair.
- Verdi’s Café, Mumbles
- Solo Exhibitions. My first Gallery, Tintern
