Both Derek and Tracey Martin found their love for art in high school. In 1977, Derek was chosen in a province-wide jury to join a small group of Grade 12 students for a 4-week scholarship course at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Derek and Tracey met while attending Georgian College's School of Art and Design. Since finishing their formal training in 1984, Derek and Tracey have been making their living from their art.

Their unique work has been featured in many publications, including Gardening Life, Canadian Gardening, Style at Home, Art City, and Australia's Ceramic Art and Perception.

They have both participated in numerous group shows, and with Derek, many one man shows. In 2003, Derek was chosen to participate in the International "Shorelines" Invitational Show. In 2000, he accepted a commission to make the tables for the MacLaren Art Centre coffee shop. In 1999 Derek made a large, permanent installation for the Barrie Horticultural Society in the Barrie Arboretum. As well in 1999, Derek placed an installation of sculptural work in the courtyard of the Burlington Art Centre. Since 1998, Derek's sculpture has been represented in Toronto by the Corkin/Shopland Gallery.

Derek and Tracey have been participating in the One of a Kind show since 1984, and Canada Blooms since it started in 1996. Tracey was given an Ontario Crafts Council award, and recently she won an award for her inventive gate design in a competition at the One of a Kind show.

Continuing education has also been important over the years. Tracey studied horticulture with the University of Guelph, and then jewelry and web design at Georgian College. Derek participated in a master class with England’s Antony Gormley, and has also taught art classes for both the MacLaren Art Centre and Georgian College.