Jody is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, and an Associate with Distinction of American Women Artists.

Born in Lubbock, Texas, Jody is the daughter of acclaimed West Texas artist, Conny Martin. From her she learned the love of painting this amazing world and the love of the creator who made it.

She earned her degree in art from Abilene Christian University, and went on to study painting under Daniel Greene and Emily Guthrie Smith. She values most the education she received from her mother, under whose tutelage she learned classical drawing and contemporary design.

She taught art in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD for sixteen years where she loved helping her students learn to see the world through artists’ eyes. She’s passionate about teaching students of any age to believe in themselves and to create from their hearts. She now lives in Kyle, Texas with her husband, Jim, and is painting full time. She continues her journey in painting, always aiming to capture the joy of the moment and the soul beneath the face.

Jody has had several solo and group exhibits, and has exhibited in New York with the Pastel Society of America.

Selected Publications:

Practique des Arts, "Le Humanite d' Abord" 2022
• Pastel Journal, “Pastel 100 Winners, Pastel Bronze Award, A Portrait of Sincerity” due in April 2022
• Southwest Art Magazine, “Texas Artists” due in Feb/Mar 2022
• Richeson75 International-Portraits/Figures 2021
• Plein Air Magazine, “Pastel Spotlight” September 2021
• Richeson75 International-Landscapes, Seascapes & Architecture 2020
• American Art Collector Magazine, “Collectors' Focus: Cityscapes” February 2018
• North Light Book’s Strokes of Genius 10, “Inspiring Subjects” 2018
• Better Homes and Gardens (mural feature) 1997
• The Dallas Morning News, ”Creating a Scene” Sept 3, 1993

Selected Awards:

Best Portriat/Figure, Plein Air Salon, July 2023 Outstanding Pastel, Bold Brush, June 2023 1st Place, Pastel Society of the Southwest 2023 Bronze Award, Pastel 100, 2022 Portrait Award, Arizona Pastel Artists Association 2022

• Finalist, Richeson75 International Contest, Portraits/Figures 2021
• 2nd Place in Contemporary Impressionism, Pastel Society of the West Coast, 99 Voices 2021
• Portrait/Figure Award - Pastel Society of the Southwest Juried Exhibition 2021
• 2nd Place, Pastel Society of Southeast Texas 2021
2nd Place, Pastel Society of the West Coast 2021
• Bold Brush International Competition - Honorable Mention 2021 and multiple “Fav 15” Awards
• Richeson75 International Contest, Landscapes, Seascapes & Architecture, Meritorious Selection 2020
• Selected for Bastrop Art In Public Places 2019
• Gold Medal Award for Pastels, Bosque Art Classic 2018
• Best of Show, Austin Pastel Society Annual Juried Membership Show 2017
• 1st Place, Central Texas Pastel Society Juried Membership Show 2017
• Artists Network International Contest, Strokes of Genius 2017
• Award of Excellence - Pastel Society of New Mexico Juried Membership Show, Santa Fe, NM 2017
• Selected by Russell Tether of Russell, Tether Fine Arts Associates for the "Rising Star" Exhibit 2016
• Finalist McKinney "Unique By Nature" purchase prize, McKinney Performing Arts 2016

Selected Associations:

Pastel Society of America, Signature Member

American Impressionist Society

American Women Artists, Associate of Distinction

Pastel Society of the Southwest, Signature Member

Outdoor Painters Society

Austin Pastel Society

Pastel Society of Southeast Texas

Central Texas Pastel Society