We recently had a group of 15 dedicated CG Cookie citizens join us as Lifetime Members. This got us thinking: let's get to know them better! We asked a few questions and thought you might be curious as well. Here is our "Meet the Member" mini-series on our notable members.
Meet Martin Starchel aka Mastart
Martin is Austrian and lives in Switzerland. He found Blender way back in 2009 when he was in rehab after an accident and could no longer work at his job. While looking for new opportunities when he stumbled across Blender somewhere around version 2.49.Â
He didn’t stick with it at the time, but came back to Blender years later.
Martin's gaming console based on our course Press Start
Martin's goal is to continue learning while helping out on one project or another. He intends to dig deeper into animation and rigging.
“It's actually a challenge I underestimated," says Martin "but I can’t say Wayne didn’t warn us.”
"Because you need an 11th," says Martin about his amplifier knobs
One of his favorite CG Cookie courses is Creating a Stylized 3d Forest Environment with Blender. Well Martin, get ready for Kenan’s environmental course, ASTRAY, coming at you here on the Cookie very soon! Â
Zuriga coffee machine
He also loves the CG Cookie community at large, “The best moments are when you ask questions and get the right answers, no matter how pointless they are.” We couldn’t agree more. There are no pointless questions, only pointless…wait I don’t think that is the saying.
Guitar pedal Boss Distortion DS1. This one rocks!Finally, the mandatory question: what is your favorite cookie, Martin?  “Chocolate, of course...or should I say a CG Cookie...is this a trap?”
Martin says you can ask him anything, so feel free to ask away in the comments or just say hello.
You can also visit Martin's CG Cookie portfolio or see more of his work on his ArtStation profile.
Nice to meet you, Martin!
Martin's story is a great example of resilience and continuous self-improvement. It's encouraging to see how he found a new creative direction through Blender and continues to challenge himself with more advanced topics like rigging. Taking occasional breaks can also help maintain focus, and I've found https://speedstarsunblocked.net to be a fun option—a simple two-key sprint game where rhythm and precise timing make all the difference.
This is such an uplifting member spotlight. Martin's determination to keep learning after such a major life event is admirable, and it's great to see how the community has supported his progress over the years. His enthusiasm for animation and rigging is contagious. When I need a short break from creative work, I enjoy https://spaceswaves2.net , an arrow-controlled obstacle game that's easy to pick up but takes real precision to master.
I really enjoyed reading Martin's story. His willingness to return to Blender years later and continue improving shows that persistence often matters more than speed. The supportive atmosphere described here is one of the biggest strengths of communities like CG Cookie. For a different kind of mental exercise, I've been playing https://wordles.org , which lets you solve as many word puzzles as you like and is a fun way to keep your brain active between creative projects.
This was a wonderful introduction to Martin. His passion for learning and his appreciation for the community really stand out, and it's exciting to hear that he's taking on the challenge of animation and rigging. Creative work often pairs well with rhythm and timing, which is one reason I enjoy https://fridaynightfunkin.app , a music rhythm game that keeps you engaged while testing your sense of timing.
Martin's experience proves that learning never has to stop, even when life takes an unexpected turn. I especially liked his point about asking questions without worrying whether they're "pointless"—that's exactly what makes a strong learning community. Since creativity often extends beyond 3D art, I've also had fun with https://sprunkygame.co , a music-based game where experimenting with sounds is just as rewarding as experimenting with visual design.
Martin's journey is incredibly motivating. It's inspiring to see how he transformed a difficult period in his life into an opportunity to learn Blender and continue growing as an artist. I also appreciate his comments about the CG Cookie community—having supportive people around makes a huge difference when learning complex skills. Outside of practicing 3D, I like relaxing with https://slope2.app , a fast-paced rolling ball game that challenges your reflexes and concentration in a surprisingly fun way.
This is useful, giving more insight into notable members. Turning it into a series makes sense, https://block-blastonline.com .
I like https://fridaynightfunkin2.io for its personality, where quirky humor and expressive foes make each battle feel distinct and entertaining.
Awesome article on Martin! It's inspiring to know that you explored 3D a little bit then came back to Blender after your accident. Great work!
Sorry my late response. Thank you for your comment. I think I did make the right choice. Blender is Great and Cgcookie gives me the opportunity to go further then with YT videos.
Great read, Martin! Your renders tell me you are into guitar gear, do you play in a band?
sorry for my late response, I did play in a Band but since I am quadriplegic my fingers don't have the power anymore for playing.