Rising Stars: Meet Samantha Harvey of Koreatown, Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Harvey.

Hi Samantha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. and when I graduated high school I moved to New York for college and I really began my creative journey. In college I interned at a fashion magazine and then fashion PR for two clothing brands. Those internships were my introduction into the fashion industry. At the same time, I was working retail jobs around the city and was also going to class so, during any downtime, I found my way into whatever fun that was happening around me. I was still in New York in early-2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and I graduated college virtually over Zoom. Trying to cope with fear and face uncertainty during this period of lockdown and stillness, I rediscovered painting. My first pieces from that time were on scraps of cardboard I found in the recycling around my neighborhood. I wasn’t working, I had been fired a few months earlier, and I couldn’t afford the massive canvases I really wanted so I unleashed my stifled creativity on people’s old TV and refrigerator boxes. When the bank account got crazy low during lockdown and I finally applied for unemployment, I received months of backpay, to my complete and utter disbelief. Eventually, in November 2020, I saved up a comfortable amount of money to move across the country to Los Angeles. Long story short, since moving to LA I have been working in Entertainment while still painting and modeling.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a winding road. Simultaneously wonderful, exciting, dreadful, scary, beautiful, and painful. My biggest struggles have been financial, or completely in my mind, but I’ve managed to make it work for almost five years.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
By day, I work in public relations but I often introduce myself as painter or an artist. My preferred medium is acrylic paint and I often paint large- scale, colorful characters with big eyes. I’m most proud of being able to balance a corporate career and still be able to exist within the art world. I like to have my hands in multiple things, projects, etc. because I get antsy if I convince myself I’m being too idle. What sets me apart from others might be that I’m lowkey anti internet and anti AI.

What matters most to you? Why?
Lately, I matter most to me. I’ve found that the more I love myself, the nicer I am to myself, the better I am able to show up for my community and the world around me. When I’m off, it creates a domino effect and I realized, I help dictate my own reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samanthaarielleharvey.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaarielleharvey

Image Credits
Mary Osunlana (banana skirt photo)

All other photos taken by Samantha Arielle Harvey