Artist Statement

I am drawn to things that are humble, down to earth and have a large dose of Wabi Sabi… the beauty in decay.
After 30 plus years supporting myself as an old school sign painter, ….all designs, lettering, painting illustrations, original and done by hand, I realized I was ready to move on to new pastures when computers took over the sign industry.
I became infatuated with Tiffany and his incredible stained glass. He became my muse. All my stained glass designs were original, highly detailed with an abundance of color and texture.
After about 10 years of working in stained glass, I started experimenting with copper repoussé, eventually moving on to acrylic painting, wood carving, needle felting.
It became apparent to me that precision and minutiae were a basic part of my artistic expression, although forever longing to be able to feel the freedom that I admire in other’s works. I don’t think it is going to happen!
The mixed media pieces I do now are a culmination of all the different mediums I have worked in. I put them all to use.
A large part of what draws me to what I do is the thrill of the hunt, always looking for that perfect something that will be used, but not for it’s original intent.
I have been a member of numerous galleries in Florida, West Virginia and New Hampshire.
Along with Jen Alba, we were the founding members of Village Artists & Gallery in Ashland, New Hampshire. This gallery produced other gallery offshoots in the Lakes Region.
I have shown and sold numerous pieces in galleries and through commissions.

Biography:

Sam is an Air Force Brat. Moving every three years, she spent most of her childhood in Biloxi, Mississippi. When entering her teens, she moved with her family to London, England. With two more years of high school remaining, her father was transferred from London to Midwest City, Oklahoma.
A culture shock….
Art was always a foundation to rely on while coping with the insecurities of moving often to new and strange places.
After attending Vesper George School of Art in Boston, Massachusetts, she moved back to her family’s roots in New Hampshire.
Eventually she and her husband moved to Florida where she painted signs and hand lettered boats.
After going through a major flood, 3 feet of water in their house, they decided to move on. They moved to West Virginia, calling the beloved state home for a number of years.
They moved back to New Hampshire in 2001 with subsequent moves back to Florida and West Virginia.
Moving often was a lifelong habit, hard to shake!
Her final move was in 2020, moving back to New Hampshire.