Martin John Fowler was born and grew up in south Yorkshire where he studied painting and printmaking. He obtained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art in Sheffield. Since the early 2000s he has spent most of his time in Cornwall, where his unmistakable style has gained significant recognition.

His 'The Prevailing Sense of Change' is an ongoing project in which he aims to capture the changes to Cornwall's working ports since his childhood up to the present day.