Artist · Illustrator · Stockholm
Drawing
the sound.
Martin Ehrling captures musicians as they perform—turning rhythm, movement and fleeting moments into expressive lines of ink.
Explore the work
“The drawing begins with listening. The line follows the musician, the instrument and the energy in the room.”
Selected work
Lines with a pulse
Music portraits, paintings, cultural encounters and places—observed with immediacy and a distinctive economy of line.
© Martin Ehrling. All artworks are protected by copyright.
Exhibitions
Ett jazzsolo
i tusch
Fasching · Stockholm
A collection of spontaneous portraits created in the charged atmosphere of live jazz—where each mark holds a fragment of rhythm, gesture and sound.
About the artist
Illuminating the intersection
of art and music
Background
Hailing from the picturesque city of Stockholm, Sweden, Martin Ehrling emerges as an artist and illustrator whose passion for visual storytelling seamlessly intertwines with his love for music. A seasoned creative with a remarkable journey, Martin has dedicated his life to capturing the ephemeral essence of music through his evocative art.
With a career spanning continents and genres, Martin has earned a reputation as an artist who lives and breathes music. His unique specialization lies in crafting captivating portraits of musicians from around the world, particularly those immersed in the realms of folk music, world music, and jazz. What sets Martin apart is his ability to immortalize the raw energy, ambiance, and physicality of music by creating these portraits on the spot, amidst live concerts. The result is a visual symphony that resonates with the very soul of music itself.
Beyond his musical odyssey, Martin Ehrling’s artistic prowess extends to the written word. For an impressive 16 years, he lent his skills as an illustrator to Sweden’s prestigious newspaper, Dagens Nyheter. His illustrations have also graced the pages of school books published by the nation’s leading publishing houses. Notably, his creative vision has been featured in exhibitions and publications for renowned institutions such as the Ethnographic Museum Stockholm, Stockholm’s Culture House, UNICEF, and SIDA.
Not one to be confined by borders, Martin’s art takes him to the heart of Africa, where he utilizes his talents for social impact, art projects, educational programs, and children’s books. This commitment to using his art as a force for good underscores his dedication to making the world a more vibrant and meaningful place.
Visit his Instagram to explore Martin Ehrling’s mesmerizing music portraits, and experience the harmonious blend of art and music that defines his extraordinary journey.
Style
In the realm where visual art and music collide, Martin Ehrling stands as a virtuoso of his craft. With an unrivaled ability to harmonize the two disciplines, his artistic style is a testament to his unique perspective and creative genius.
At the core of Martin’s distinctive approach lies his affinity for depicting musicians through his art. Focused primarily on folk music, world music, and jazz, he possesses a remarkable knack for transforming the auditory into the visual. What sets his style apart is his dedication to crafting these music portraits in the midst of live concerts. The immediacy of his process translates into pieces that capture not just the sound, but the very soul of the music. Using ink on watercolor paper, Martin’s strokes are imbued with the energy and emotion that reverberate through the melodies.
It’s this distinctive live-performance approach that elevates Martin’s artistry. His work encapsulates the ephemeral moments, the interplay between artist and instrument, and the raw intensity that only music can convey. His portraits are more than representations; they’re a journey into the heart of music itself.
Martin’s versatile talent also extends beyond the realm of music. Having illustrated for reputable publications and exhibited at esteemed institutions, his style transcends boundaries. A fusion of ink, watercolor, and a keen eye for detail, his art exudes a dynamic and vivacious quality that resonates with audiences across the globe.
For those seeking to possess a piece of Martin Ehrling’s magic, his music portraits are available as authentic high-quality art prints (A3 on 260 g watercolor paper). The perfect marriage of art and music, his work stands as a testament to the power of capturing fleeting moments and transforming them into eternal expressions of creativity.
Film
Stockholm Sessions
Selected moments from a documentary about Martin Ehrling’s work — drawn live, in the moment.