Modern art that reinvents the Western spirit
Stephen Martin Studio
That duality—grit and coastline, heritage and modernism—defines Stephen’s work. His art is a fusion: the raw spirit of cowboy country colliding with the coastal influence of an artist’s sanctuary.
STEPHEN MARTIN STUDIO
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Stephen Martin paints the soul of the American West—capturing its grit, dignity, and spirit through bold, modern portraits and expressive abstract works. His art bridges past and present, celebrating both the weathered strength of old cowboys and the raw emotion of contemporary life.Rooted in two landscapes—the wide skies of West Texas and the coastal light of Carmel and Monterey—Stephen draws from a family legacy that began when his Scottish ancestors settled at the historic Mission Ranch, now owned by Clint Eastwood. His grandfather, Carmel Martin, was the city’s first mayor and author of its charter.From his early days riding through West Texas ranch country to creating today’s dynamic canvases, Stephen honors the people and places that shaped him. His work reflects a deep connection to land, heritage, and the enduring spirit of the American West.
Acrylic on canvas: 30"x30"
VAQUERO
"Vaquero" draws from the grit and pride of the original Mexican cowboys. With sharp contrasts and a fiery backdrop, the painting reflects a stoic hero shaped by harsh land, honor, and survival on the open range.
Acrylic on canvas: 14"x11"
GUNFIGHT
Inspired by classic Westerns, this stylized portrait captures the intense focus of a lone hero before a showdown, blending modern art and emotional intensity.
Acrylic on canvas: 30"x30"
RANGER
This painting captures the stoic intensity of a frontier Ranger from long ago. With bold lines and a weathered expression, it reflects the solitude, strength, and silent resolve of those who upheld law and order in a rugged, untamed land.
Acrylic on canvas: 36"x36"
d-dAY
This painting captures the intense focus and hidden fear of a soldier moments before battle. With stark contrasts and a hardened expression, it reflects the emotional weight, resolve, and vulnerability carried into the chaos of war.
Acrylic on canvas: 24"x24"
TEXAS RANGER (SOLD)
"Texas Ranger" pays tribute to the legendary lawmen who brought justice to the untamed frontier. With bold lines and a hardened gaze, the painting captures the courage, authority, and quiet resolve of a figure shaped by duty, danger, and the rugged land of Texas.
Acrylic on canvas: 30"x30"
GOLD RUSH
“Gold Rush” captures the rugged spirit and quiet determination of a lone prospector during California’s 1849 gold boom. Inspired by the dreams, hardships, and raw hope that drove thousands west, this piece reflects the grit and solitude of a man chasing fortune in an unforgiving land—where every shovel of earth held the promise of a new life.
Acrylic on canvas: 24"x30"
TWO RIDERS
"Two Riders" captures the spirit of the Old West—two lone figures moving through open land, bound by grit, silence, and survival. The painting reflects the bond between riders and the vast, untamed world they rode through.
Acrylic on canvas: 30"x24"
Guardia Civil (SOLD)
"Guardia Civil" was inspired by historical images of Spain’s national police force. The stark black-and-white contrast reflects authority, tradition, and tension—capturing both the stoic power and complex legacy of these iconic figures.
Acrylic on canvas: 36"x48"
HARDSHIP
This painting evokes the grit and endurance of the Old West. The stark figure, set against a rugged backdrop, reflects the struggles and resilience of frontier life. With its bold lines and weathered expression, "Hardship" pays tribute to the toughness, solitude, and quiet strength that defined an era.
Acrylic on canvas: 20"x20"
CIVIL WAR
"Civil War" channels the hardened stare of a soldier divided by duty and identity. With bold lines and stark contrasts, the painting reflects the inner conflict of a man caught in a nation torn apart—resolute, weary, and forever changed.
Acrylic on canvas: 30"X24"
SHERIFF
Bold, graphic lines and a rugged palette bring this modern Western outlaw to life. Sheriff captures the grit and swagger of the frontier with a pop-art edge — steely blue eyes, a clenched cigar, and a hint of menace behind the badge. Blending vintage comic-book energy with contemporary Western iconography, the piece channels both Americana nostalgia and sharp, modern style.
Acrylic on canvas: 20"x20"
BORRACHO
"Borracho" captures the wild, unfiltered spirit of a cowboy from long ago—worn down by hard living and strong drink. The abstract style reflects his fractured state, blurring the line between grit, humor, and sorrow in the Old West.
Acrylic on canvas: 24"X30"
interruption
"Interruption" reflects the tension of being silenced mid-thought. The bold divide between stormy gray and deep red evokes emotion colliding with restraint. Inspired by the artist’s experience of constant disruption, it captures the struggle to be heard through layers of interruption.
Acrylic on canvas: 36"x24"
section 88
"Section 88" captures the spirit of the 1980s through form and color rather than nostalgia. Influenced by the architecture and imagery of the era, the painting reflects its bold confidence and structured optimism—an abstract snapshot of a decade defined by ambition and edge.
Acrylic on canvas: 30"X48"
OCEAN SUNSET
"Ocean Sunset" captures the moment when the sun slips beneath the horizon off Carmel-by-the-Sea. The meeting of dark ocean and luminous sky reflects both stillness and movement—an abstract meditation on light, memory, and the quiet power of nature’s daily retreat.
Acrylic on canvas: 24"x36"
BATTLESHIP
"Battleship" pays tribute to the artist’s father, who served in the Navy during World War II. The bold, circular forms evoke the rhythm and motion of the sea, while the interplay of steel-gray, black, and deep orange suggests strength, memory, and resilience—an abstract echo of life aboard a ship in turbulent waters.
Acrylic on canvas: 20"X16"
BLUEBONNETS
"Bluebonnets" captures the spirit of Texas through its beloved state flower. Set against a warm golden background, the bold strokes and vivid hues celebrate the wild beauty and resilience of spring in the Lone Star State. The still life arrangement blends simplicity and pride—a tribute to nature’s color and the enduring heart of Texas.
Acrylic on canvas: 36"x48"
CONTRAIL
"Contrail" turns skyward patterns into coded symbols of belief and doubt. Inspired by conspiracy theories, the painting’s sharp lines and layered blues evoke both the beauty and unease of unseen forces at work—an abstract reflection on how mystery and imagination shape the stories we tell ourselves.
