Woman in a blue shirt smiling and standing in front of a wall of dog paintings

About the Artist

Martina Goulart is a fine art painter based in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California.

Her work explores the connections between place, memory, and belonging, transforming landscapes and seascapes into stories that resonate deeply with collectors.

From her studio surrounded by redwoods, she creates oil paintings inspired by nature, family, and exploration, as well as personalized commissions that capture the feeling of being there.

Artist Martina Goulart working in her studio in Felton.

Why I Paint What I Paint

“As an artist, I strive to paint more than landscapes — I paint the stories that live within them.”

I paint stories rooted in real places and lived experiences along the California coast and the redwoods near Santa Cruz.

My fine art oil paintings begin outdoors — on coastal trails, beneath redwood canopies, or at the edge of a quiet harbor.

These places are part of my life, and the moments I spend there with loved ones stay with me. When I return to the studio, I paint not only what I’ve seen but what I’ve felt — the wonder, the stillness, the sense of belonging.

For me, a place is never just scenery. A harbor can hold the feeling of return, a trail can echo with laughter, a forest can offer quiet company. Each brushstroke is a way of holding onto that truth — that landscapes carry our stories.

My paintings invite viewers — and collectors — to pause, reflect, and see themselves inside the story.

Close-up of a girl in a soft blue-purple paper boat with yellow edge highlights, blue dress, brown hair, reflection in dark water under sunset sky.

Symbols in My Work

The recurring girl in a paper boat is a reminder that my work is never only about a place, but about the stories those places have carried through time. The children who appear in my paintings reflect us all — the wonder, innocence, and presence that live inside each of us.

Close-up of girl in tan hat and pink dress playing by river edge with orange and white paper boats, warm yellow-orange tones and expressive brushstrokes.

Art as Healing

Painting brings me peace, especially in hard times. Like many parents, I’ve walked through challenges raising teenagers, facing accidents, and supporting loved ones through struggles with mental health.

In those dark times, I turned to painting as a way to remember brighter days: when my children were small, when worries felt lighter, when joy was easier to hold.

My art carries me back to those moments and I hope it does the same for you.

Woman wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt in a forest setting

My Journey

I was born and raised in Czechia, where my love for art began early. At 21, I came to the United States seeking adventure and here I discovered that art could be a profession, a purpose, and a way to belong.

Now based in the Santa Cruz Mountains, I create original fine art paintings inspired by California’s coast, redwoods, and wild spaces.

For many years, I balanced motherhood and painting, teaching art in local schools and through Spectra Arts, showing my work in community exhibitions, and eventually establishing my professional studio practice.

Original painting of Santa Cruz Natural Bridges beach at sunset with silhouettes flying a kite and photographer capturing the light by the ocean.

What I Hope You See

At the heart of my work is this belief: places shape us, and through them we find connection to nature, to one another, and to ourselves. My hope is that when you look at my paintings, they bring back your own happy memories, offer peace, and stir that same sense of belonging.

Adventure. Dream. Home.

Thank you for being here and for taking the time to see not just my work, but the story behind it.

If a painting speaks to you, let’s talk. I love helping collectors find the piece that feels like it belongs with them.

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