ABOUT ME
ARTIST & CREATOR
Artist Statment
I am an American artist striving to balance structure and disorder by exploring shape, color, and harmony of composition. My work is heavily influenced by my childhood fascination with expressing oneself through bold colors, dynamic forms, and unusual uses of material seen from the late 1880s to the early 1960s. The rigid education system did not fit my learning style and disenfranchised my interests and strengths, pushing me to explore new communication mediums. I strive to break away from the conventional use of perspective and value to draw a reaction that connects with the subconscious, transcending basic understanding and conveying structure and clarity, which often evades us in daily life. My work should be interesting to view, regardless of your art education. I test these boundaries daily.
MAKE
SH*T
FAQs
Who or what inspires you?
I can’t remember when I was not fascinated by art; even as a kid, I loved museums. Growing up in the northeast, I saw some of the greatest works on display: Jackson Pollock, Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitzky, Pablo Picasso, Josef Albers, and Gustav Klutsis, to just name a few. These artists influence the way I look at art. I attempt to create the same feeling I have looking at these masters in my artwork.
Right now I am really into Julie Mehretu and Znat Girsberger work.
How do you come up with your works?
It happens most often when I am not trying to create anything, with ideas often coming to me during my morning meditation or seconds before I fall asleep. During that silence, a brief moment of clarity reveals itself...often, and in an instant, the painting comes to me almost fully formed. The color, shape, size, texture, and perspective, as if I had already created it. I scribble it down in the hopes that tomorrow I will be up to the challenge of creating what I envisioned.
Why Geometric Abstraction?
I always loved architecture and found satisfaction in order and simple shapes (maybe it's just OCD). It's just the way my mind works, I guess. I think simple forms are beautiful and don't need to be overly complex. I have spent hundreds of hours in art classrooms studying, practicing, and listening to art professors speak on foreground, middle-ground, background, and a myriad of other techniques and styles, but I always gravitated back to what I found most enjoyable. A short quote from one of my favorite artists, Jackson Pollock states:
"Energy and motion made visible."
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on what art style they enjoy, but something about the speed, texture, and brilliance that acrylics provide allows for sharp edges and layering like no other medium I have used.
Outside of painting what do you like to do?
If I am not painting, and it is between November and March, I am skiing as much as possible. The combination of speed, freedom and stunning nature captivates me. I can’t get enough. During the summertime, I daydream about skiing, sitting outside with a beverage in my hand, or maybe shooting some 35mm film.
Testimonials
“Sam’s work immediately became the centerpiece in my living room. His work elicits a variety of timeless emotions and I look forward to viewing it everyday”
"I asked Sam to design a custom painting based on several different criteria. He produced mock versions to ensure the piece was what I was envisioning as well as making recommendations on how to improve it. I am still blown by the final product."
"Sam was patient, thorough, and attentive throughout the entire creative process. He spent countless hours working with me to perfect my vision. My expectations were exceeded, and he even customized shipped and packaged internationally!"