Martin F. Arriola was born and raised in Los Angeles, California

He attended Art Center College of Design, Pasadena as an Illustration Major.

Martin has designed and developed products for Mattel Inc. for the past 25 years.

Approximately five years ago he purchased Richard Schmid's book "Alla Prima", which convinced him to return to his passion for painting.

Ninety percent of Martin's work is done in Plein Air or from the live model.  He currently conducts a Sketching for Illustration Workshop every Thursday evening at Mattel where he and his fellow designers draw and paint from the costumed model.

Martin works primarily in Oils for landscapes and also works in Watercolor and Pastels in the Workshop.  He is an Artist member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.