Marten was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1948. He was raised by his grandmother, Mary Black Griego, in the southwest part of Albuquerque.
His initial interest in music began at an early age; by fourteen he was playing drums in popular local nightclubs. In 1979 he recorded a forty-five record with Alta Vista Recordings. A rerecorded version of Happy Happy Birthday Baby and Right or Wrong were sung by Anna Mae. Marten played drums with the backup band “Together”. In the 80’s he recorded a gospel album with Wagner Studios, A Man Called Love, featuring The Padilla Brothers.
He worked for the City of Albuquerque in Golf Management helping with the construction and maintenance of the city golf courses. After 16 years he transferred to Utility Billing where he ‘read’ water meters. Marten retired from the city in 1994.
Marten began Tinsmithing at the age of 50 as a way to cope with divorce. His eccentric expressions had him creating and designing unusual works of art from tin, copper, brass and colored mirror. His designs include over a hundred original works of art including: crosses, angels, dragons, demons, dancers and more. In August of 2004, the Albuquerque Journal featured Marten in Mature Life Magazine with an article entitled: “Artistic Awakening”. A picture of The Bat Shield, his five feet by two feet brass creation of Batman’s cape, was shown in the article. Behind the cape is a four foot lime-green florescent light. The light is softened by a dimmer switch, causing the cape to cast a flickering shadow behind the shield.
Marten felt a void in his life after retiring from music in 1993. In September of 1997 he joined the Albuquerque Swing and Country Dance Club and attended a sixteen-week ballroom dance class at the University of New Mexico. He was transported into a passionate love affair with dance. The joy of music was back in his life. Over the years he has attended workshops and taken lessons: West Coast Swing, Hustle, Night Club Two Step, Cha Cha, Country Two Step, and Country Waltz. Marten has served on the Board of Directors and was Vice president for the AS&CDC dance club.
Art, dancing and music brought happiness to his life and gave him the confidence to face a dark part of his life: illiteracy. Even though he was able to read small words, his reading, writing, grammar and comprehension were very limited. He found the courage in 1998 to seek help by contacting ReadWest, Inc., the adult literacy program in Rio Rancho. With the help and encouragement of his inspirational volunteer tutor, Mr. Gordon Suits, Marten began transcribing the heart warming story of his life. After nine years of painstaking work that story became Leaving the House of Tears, published in November 14, 2006.
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