Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Robinson.
Hi Samantha, 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?
Since I was a kid I’ve always had a love for art. I took as many art classes as I could all throughout school. It wasn’t until I went to an art exhibit in 2010 I realized I wanted to seriously pursue art as a career. One of my best friends attended the Academy of Arts in San Francisco and recommended I apply. So in 2012, I did just that!
It was honestly the best time of my life. It was incredibly hard work but I learned so much from my instructors and the other students. When I graduated in 2018 I was so excited! I continued to make art for small creators, businesses, and even began illustrating my own series of paintings to help raise autoimmune awareness!
Then, the pandemic hit. I suddenly had all this free time to make art! I began painting hats and even started illustrating a children’s book as well!
I will not lie though, I really struggled. The artistic world is very competitive and with social media, if you want to be successful there is pressure to constantly make content to stay relevant.
However, since then I have painted multiple murals with two of my best friends, illustrated and painted multiple commissions, album covers and logos for local artists and small businesses. I look forward to painting more murals, design art on clothing and create my own brand of art. I finished said children’s book called “Frannie’s Christmas Tale, No Room at the Inn” and it is now up for sale on Amazon!
This all being said – Please support your local artists and small businesses. Share their content if you can! You have no idea how much it could help change their life!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not, haha. Life is never easy. There will always be challenges even if it is your own mind discouraging you.
Admittedly, this is something I still sometimes struggle with because being an artist doesn’t automatically come with security and steady income. The mind might start to believe there is no point in trying. I’ve found this is incredibly dangerous for artists.
If you don’t try, you will never know. Who cares if you hate your art. Who cares if there is someone better than you. There always will be. You owe it to yourself to find where this dream can take you.
It is scary and the future is unknown. The honest truth is, you will never get to where you want to be if you never try. So why not try?
My advice to artists who feel a similar way, please know you’re not alone. There will always be time to try again and again, even if you fail. Please do not give up and get sucked into the spiraling thoughts. It’s okay to take breaks but know when it’s time to get back on the horse even when you’re tired and your mind is telling you lies. There is always room for more artists. All that matters is it makes you happy and the more you practice, the more you learn and the better you will get!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My most proud accomplishment would be to say I finished illustrating my first children’s book in December of 2022 and started an art collective with two of my best friends and we painted our first giant mural together for Tahoe Elementary School during a mural festival called Wide Open Walls!
Simply put, I am a freelance artist. I specialize in acrylic painting and digital painting using mainly photoshop. I’m known for creating fun whimsical characters. I make logos for your small businesses, fan art, illustrations, murals, children’s books and album cover art.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yes. If you have a love for art, make art that means something to you. I promise it will mean something to someone else no matter what it is. This is what gives creating art meaning!
Contact Info:
- Website: samanthajoyce.squarespace.com
- Instagram: samanthajoyceart
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ourmooneclipse
