Marti Garaughty is a self-taught artist. He paints without a plan and relies instead on understanding his materials like an improvisational jazz musician might rely on his instrument.
He likes to compare color to music notes, their combination to harmony, and brushstrokes to rhythm. With these tools, Garaughty sets out to invent a language all his own and aims to appeal to the irrational capacity of his viewer. He wants for his paintings to be appraised uncritically and elicit an emotional response.
In his creative process he relies entirely upon instinct. He believes that art should speak to our hearts, not our minds – it should reflect our fears, emotions, hopes, and dreams.
