Hello, I am Marty Coleman, the Napkin Dad. I am the creator of ‘The Napkin’ and most of the artwork on the site.
I live in the Dallas area with my wife, Linda and our two cats.
I got my start as an artist when my Grandfather, Buck Powell, who was an accomplished amateur artist and art collector, began teaching me how to draw around the age of 5. From then until now it’s what I do. My mother and father encouraged me and I gathered 2 degrees in art as I reached young adulthood.
After spending 9 years teaching art at the college level and being an exhibiting artist I went in a new direction, eventually spending 14 years in interactive and internet design before moving into work as an independent artist, photographer and public speaker.
During that time I married and became the proud father of 3 daughters (for whom I drew the original napkin drawings). After a divorce I remarried and had the good fortune of gaining a fourth daughter. My four daughters are all grown up now, living all around the country and making me proud in every way. I have 4 grandchildren as well.
I started running 20 years ago (2003, age 48). I became a running coach and program director for 10k through marathon distances while doing my own training. I have run 18 marathons with my highest accomplishment being qualifying for and running in the Boston Marathon in 2020 and 2022.
I am an accomplished handyman and DIYer – designing and building outdoor structures, doing extensive landscaping and gardening, figuring out plumbing, electrical, and other indoor delights, including painting almost every room in our home and fixing everything I can.
It was good connecting with you on Twitter as janmarshmellow. You are a brilliant artist compassionate and funny and let’s face it a hell of a ?? dancer! Good luck!? Jan Marshall
Was looking for your periscope stream from noon today to show a friend at work tomorrow morning. Maybe yours don’t save? Very unique scope anyway, so thanks. What was that topless girl with binoculars and pail doing on the beach in front of the cave?
Hi Bill, they do save, yes. However that particular one had some information in it that I didn’t want to remain public (a phone number) so I deleted it. That is the mystery behind the drawing, what is she doing on the beach and why is she surrounded by those objects? Those are clues to a story you get to tell yourself about her, not a story I am telling.
Just cause it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s not super helpful.
I love how these raise awareness about compassion! So wonderful. Very important.
Thank you Courtney, I appreciate you taking the time to notice, read and think about my drawings and writings!