Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Watson.
Hi Sam, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was 16, I was given the opportunity to intern with local artist and muralist David Hale, and that was when I realized I wanted to be a professional artist. While studying communication arts at VCUArts in Richmond, VA, I discovered a love for illustration and began to find my own style and voice. But despite enjoying my time at VCU and beginning to find success as an artist, I graduated during the pandemic and found myself stuck in a place of doubt in my abilities and path. During this time, I leaned into my community through my work with teens at a public library and occasionally vending at art markets to try to find my way back to creating. Now, three years later, I have completed a residency, vend at markets year-round while continuing to grow my small business, and am passionately creating fun and engaging imagery for those around me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My road has definitely had some bumps. I struggled throughout college to find my identity as an artist and figure out my purpose for creating. Everyone around me was going into concept art, so I thought I needed to go into concept art even though my heart and more than one professor told me otherwise. It wasn’t until I got back home and was around my family again that I started to lean into my own personal experiences while making art. I began creating characters that reflected those around me, and I worked with colors and shapes that reminded me of moments from my childhood, the art I loved, the woods I lived in, and my abuelita’s plant room. Despite this personal success, I still face a lot of rejection from jobs, publishers, and other opportunities but I’m confident in my journey and have the endless support of my friends, family, and husband to keep me going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create fun and colorful illustrations that often depict plants or landscapes. People are drawn to the vibrant colors and simple shapes in my work as I try to evoke the playful imagery we see when we’re young. I’m also really passionate about educational illustration and I’m currently working on a project to help educate and engage people in a conversation about native plants in our region, answering questions like what they are, where they are, and why they’re important. I’m most proud of the moments when my art has had an impact on someone, whether it hangs in their home, was received as a gift, or just brings a smile to their face.
I think my work contains a lot of joy, and I create it to bring joy to others. I’m also very intentional about making sure my art is accessible, which impacts my pricing and the overall approachability of my work.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think any type of creative endeavor comes with a level of risk; there’s obviously a monetary risk to pursuing a career with a low success rate, but you also put pieces of yourself at risk as an artist. I risk my pride, identity, self-confidence, and passion for creating every day by inviting others into that space with me, but the risk is worth the reward of doing what I love and bringing a bit of positivity into the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samwatsonillustrator.com/
- Instagram: @sam.j.watson
