Born in Saint John, New Brunswick,[1][2] Martin began her formal art studies at the age of 12 with Stanley Royale, who taught at Mount Allison University.
She is a printmaker, noted for her embossing technique, and in the 1960s, became well known for her Plexiglas cube sculptures which incorporated print processes.
[2] In 2005, a retrospective exhibition titled Pat Martin Bates: Destinations, Navigations, Illuminations was shown at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
[2][12][3] In 1991, she received the University of Victoria Alumni Association annual award for teaching excellence.
[4][16] The Canadian Federation of University Women Victoria esteemed her by establishing, in 1985, the Pat Martin Bates Scholarship in Visual Arts.