Today we’d like to introduce you to Martin Geller

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I began my career in the analog world of graphic arts in the early 1970s. Following my fine arts studies at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, I was hired by ABC and soon after, NBC, where I spent 35 years as an art director, designer, and animator for various shows and programs. From 1994 to 2009, I worked exclusively on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Over the course of my 50-year career, I’ve created artwork for a wide range of institutions, including The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Paramount Television, VH-1, national magazines, renowned music labels, and major book publishers. Two of my posters appear in the 2023 film “Dream Scenario,” produced by A24 Films and starring Nicolas Cage. I’ve been honored with multiple New York Emmy Awards for my work in television and numerous international awards for my print work. In 2011, I launched Blue Lightning TV, a YouTube channel dedicated to teaching Photoshop, which has garnered over 1 million subscribers. Today, I divide my time between producing Photoshop tutorials and creating original artworks that celebrate the rich tapestry of 20th-century art genres I love.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

When I started my career, there were no computers or software for creating art and design—everything was done by hand with traditional mediums. By the mid-1980s, the industry had undergone a digital transformation. My first challenge was learning to create artworks using the Quantel Paintbox, a specialized computer graphics workstation for broadcast television video and graphic composition. A decade later, I faced a new challenge—adapting to Adobe applications including Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects to produce my artwork in the evolving digital landscape.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

My passion for 20th-century art genres inspires me to create original compositions that pay homage to them. While my creative process varies with each piece, it always begins with a spark of inspiration. Sometimes, an idea for a design will linger in my mind for days before I begin exploring its shapes, colors, and spatial relationships. Other times, I’m captivated by something unexpected in my surroundings, which immediately serves as a jumping-off point for exploration.

When creating compositions, my aim is to achieve a balance where every element interacts with a harmonious visual tension. Every detail plays a role in maintaining this equilibrium. My exhibition poster designs, in particular, strive to authentically recreate the style and spirit of the time and place they represent.

What sets my work apart from many other artists is that it isn’t tied to a single style. I aim for each composition to fully capture the look, feel, and spirit of the specific art genre I’m paying tribute to.

I’m especially proud that many of my posters have been highlighted on art websites and blogs as some of the finest examples of their respective genres often mistaking them for authentic designs from the periods they represent in art history.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?

Many people familiar with my work but who don’t know me personally might be surprised that two years ago, I was clinically “dead” for a few minutes after suffering cardiac arrest from a heart attack. With the help of the docs on call that night and God’s mercy, I survived it. It was actually my second heart attack—the first occurred eight years prior.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bluelightningtv.wixsite.com/bltv
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluelightningtv/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martygeller/
• Twitter: https://x.com/BlueLightningTV
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BLTV_Photoshop
• Other: https://jpocker.com/martingeller