MARTIN CLUNES ART PROJECT
by
ABOUT ME
My name is Simona Cerri, and I work under the artist name Simo Arshara.
Creativity has always been a natural part of my life — not a choice, but a way of expressing who I am. Over the years, it has taken many forms: jewellery design, painting, sculpture, writing, photography, digital art, and music.
Across all these disciplines, my focus has remained the same: a deep attention to detail and a constant search for beauty.
For many years, I worked behind the camera, directing and producing music videos, short films, and artistic projects. In 2020, I decided to step away from commissioned work and focus instead on projects that truly resonated with me — projects that allowed me to grow and speak with my own creative voice.
That choice marked the beginning of a new chapter. In 2021, I discovered the British series Doc Martin, and something simply clicked. What started as curiosity soon became the foundation of a digital art project dedicated to Martin Clunes — a way to bring together imagination, storytelling, and technique.
How My Works Come to Life
Everything began when I discovered the work of Dutch artist Ard Gelinck, known for his photomontages in which celebrities meet their younger selves. The idea fascinated me, and I started experimenting with a similar time-bending approach, using photographs of Martin Clunes from different periods of his life.
At the same time, I noticed how much artwork existed online dedicated to actors and musicians — and how little there was focused on Martin. That observation led me to create something of my own: not imitation, but a personal artistic tribute.
The turning point came when I created an alternative poster for Shakespeare in Love, centred solely on Martin’s character. The result surprised me so much that I felt compelled to continue.
From there, the project evolved through constant experimentation and study — photo composition, lighting, matte painting, and digital collage — until I gradually found my own visual language and style.
Each artwork starts with an idea or an emotion. This is followed by research, careful image selection, and composition. Then comes the part I love most: blending all the elements together until the image begins to feel alive, as if it has found its own soul.
People often ask me why I do this, or what I get from it. There isn’t a simple answer — only the quiet joy of creating something that feels deeply right and genuinely fulfilling.
Finally, a note on process: my artworks are not generated by AI. They are entirely original digital creations, developed step by step through time, skill, and intuition. On rare occasions, I may use AI tools only to enhance a low-resolution image or reconstruct a missing detail — never to generate the artwork itself.
MC' Art Book
A Christmas gift for Martin and his family (2022), a book of my fan artworks! Here’s a quick flip-through.
“This was my very first piece — just a simple photo mash‑up created in 2021, but it holds a special place in my heart: I had the incredible honor of receiving a copy back, signed by Martin himself!”
A Connection beyond Art
The same sensitivity that led me towards digital art also drew me to horses, creatures I had long admired from a distance.
Seeing the calm, respectful bond Martin shares with them encouraged me to step into that world myself and experience it firsthand.
I don’t own a horse, but I found a deep connection with Ambar, a beautiful black Murgese who reminds me every day of the value of slowing down and living fully in the present moment.
As Martin once said:
“With horses, time stands still, your mind empties and you are totally present — you are in the moment.”
If you spot any mistakes, notice something missing, or simply want to share something cool about Martin or this site, just let me know!
I love learning new things from fellow fans, and this page is always open to grow with your ideas.
You can drop me an email anytime at: simoarshara@gmail.com.
