Laguna Beach local artist Martina Schertenleib is a Swiss-born mixed media artist whose deep connection to nature – rooted in her upbringing in the countryside of central Switzerland – infuses every aspect of her work. Her art reflects both a reverence for natural forms and a passion for experimentation.

Martina honed her foundational skills at a Swiss art school called “Neue Kunstschule Zürich” and began her professional journey in one of Luzern’s top advertising agencies before she moved to the United States in 2000, where she co-founded her own advertising and interactive agency. Throughout her career in graphic design, Martina remained dedicated to her personal artistic practice, exploring a wide range of mediums including charcoal, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, pastels, and oil paints on various surfaces such as wood, canvas, and paper.

In her current work, Martina often paints detailed subjects in oil and places them within richly textured, abstract mixed media backgrounds, frequently adding plaster, metal, wood, found or repurposed objects, or everyday items. She also uses fabric to build layered surfaces, adding physical depth and tactile nuance to her compositions. This contrast between realism and abstraction creates a dynamic tension and visual richness that is central to her style. Her practice merges modern abstraction, diverse materials, and a strong drawing foundation, allowing each piece to become a new and surprising creative journey.

Martina’s work has been displayed at the Suzy Q’s Art Gallery, Sawdust Summer Festival / Winter Fantasy and will be exhibited at the Sawdust Summer and Winter Show this year.