Welcome to The Hermitage

Since 2005, I've answered to the name "Hermit". (Yes, I was working from home long before it became trendy!) A few people have asked why I chose this name for my business. What follows is an attempt to offer some enlightenment (as hermits often do).

The name was inspired by a song by Van Morrison called Alan Watts Blues. The chorus echoes the words, "... I'm cloud hidden, whereabouts unknown". Curious about the lyrics, an investigation ensued, which led me to the writings of Alan Watts and, in particular, his book entitled, Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: A Mountain Journal. The title employs a line borrowed from the poem Searching for the Hermit in Vain by Chia Tao. Since I was starting a small, home-based agency, essentially becoming a hermit, the name felt right. 

As one of the fortunate folks who truly enjoys what they do for a living, I approach every day as a new adventure. My goal is to create content that provides a meaningful impact and delivers a successful outcome. Success can be measured in so many different ways; for me, it is reflected in the long-term relationships forged with my clients, and the electricity generated by collaborating with them to produce the creative they want, on time, for a reasonable price. 

The key to creating successful creative is interpreting the overall message and translating the concept into compelling collateral. These words appear above my desk: "LISTEN - QUESTION - COLLABORATE", constant reminders that guide my work every day. 

The Hermit is 'Cloud-hidden' but always present and ready to provide the full spectrum of creative content, designed just for you. I hope our paths cross soon. Thanks for visiting! 

Brenda Martin

Creative Director 

Hermit Creative