About the Artist - Marta MacCallum

Marta MacCallum

This month’s cover artist is Marta MacCallum, who grew up in the rugged mountains of Welch, West Virginia. Some of her most vivid memories are of her mother dressed in velvet capri pants, dancing to Johnny Mathis, or in a chiffon cocktail dress on her way to a dinner dance. Losing her mother at the age of 10 shook her world. It meant several moves to new towns, a loss of identity, as well as an overwhelming pervasive sadness. Luckily, six years after her mother died, she went to live with her fabulous grandmother. She was miraculously thrown a lifeline, returning to a loving environment. Marta finished growing up surrounded by strong women with wonderful pieces of furniture and fine china. They taught her to mind her manners and set a proper table, but to do so with an extra dose of sass.

Home, interiors and women are important to Marta for they represent the security she lost as a child. Her grandmother definitely inspired her “Edgy Women” series. “It’s easy to create a beautiful face, but I don’t want a prom queen. I want a woman who has got something to say!...something that will move the conversation…that will make you pause,” said Marta.

Marta currently lives in Southport, N.C., a small fishing village located along the Cape Fear River. “You can’t live in North Carolina without going to several oyster roasts each year.” Standing around shucking oysters inspired her oyster series.

Marta also has a series of birdhouses. These are not paintings, but actual painted birdhouses. Each one has a special key tied to the top, another symbol of the quest to discover the true meaning of home. Her birdhouses often reflect the styles of some of her favorite artists, including Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. In addition to portraits of women and birdhouses, Marta has a beautiful, serene series of landscapes called Lost in Tranquility.

Unlike most artists, Marta is both left and right brained. She is as analytical as she is artistic. For the most part, Marta is a self-taught artist who has been fortunate to take several workshops from outstanding artists around the country. She began painting years ago after a motorcycle accident left her with a cylinder cast from her hip all the way down to her ankle for three months. That was the first time she had slowed down long enough to truly paint. It would now seem fate was behind such an event, leading Marta to discover her true passion.

This month’s cover is an original created specially for Pink Magazine. Marta’s work can be found exclusively at Deb Copeland’s The Gallery, located at 1203-B Main Street in Main Street Village on Hilton Head Island.

Marta also works on commission. For more information contact Marta MacCallum
910-274-6799 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..