Originally from Philadelphia, Martha Rich lived the typical, suburban life - until she followed her husband to Los Angeles where, just short of a picket fence and 2.5 children her average American life unraveled. To cope with divorce, fate lead her to an illustration class taught by the Clayton Brothers. They persuaded her to ditch her human resources job at Universal Studios and make art instead. She graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design and is currently based in Pasadena obsessively painting undergarments, wigs, lobsters, and Loretta Lynn.
In the 6 years she has been working as an artist, Rich's clients have ranged from CosmoGirl to Rolling Stone to Smart Money Magazine to name a few. Her work has been featured in two music videos, "
The Science of Selling Yourself Short" by Less Than Jake and most recently in "
Girl" by Beck. Last summer, Rich collaborated with Esther Pearl Watson to create images for "Dear New Girl or Whatever Your Name Is" published by McSweeney's. In June 2006 a book of her sketchbook art will be published by
Murphy Design. She has recently begun showing her work in galleries as well, most recently at the
La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood. ("Add Inches While You Sleep.") Rich's next project is curating a show at
TAG Art Gallery in Nashville, TN "Tang & Jello" opening September 2006.
I love how she can mix beautiful and hideous on one piece, it's something I'd love to successfully do on paper but can't because I lack the creativity to do so 
