For some time now, I’ve wanted to start a studio blog. I want to dedicate a space in my life to preserve my research, pigment making experiences, artist inspiration and general thoughts and ideas about making art. Whenever I stumble upon a fellow artist’s studio blog, I always dive head first into it. I want to know what inspires them to make art, learn more about how they make their art, and the challenges they face when trying to make artwork etc. while balancing a family and/or a 9-5 job and so on. I’ve found that studio blogs are few and far between. So I’m taking it upon myself to construct a studio blog, meant for a world that could use more of them! Hopefully I’ll inspire others and hold myself accountable for documenting my practice.
Whether you know me or not, I’m going to give an introduction of myself. I’m an artist born and raised in central Pennsylvania who lives and works in Philadelphia, PA. I recently proudly stated in a Zoom talk with a gallery, that I’m a Pennsylvanian artist and my work is about being Pennsylvanian. I found verbalizing that to be very cathartic and eye opening. I regularly read artist interviews, listen/attend artist talks and pay close attention to the placards by artwork that list where artists come from and end up living/working. The majority are ____ is a New York, NY artist. That’s not me, and my work wouldn’t be what it is without Pennsylvania. As of late, Pennsylvania German folk art has become a huge influence in my artmaking practice. My grandmother was PA German. She spoke the language and grew-up in coal mining country in Northern PA. Her impact on me was huge. I grew up gardening with her and my parents, fishing in our creek, running wild with my niece in the woods and fields surrounding my parents house and learning most importantly -- how to love and relate to the land we used for purpose and for pleasure. My artworks exist as works on paper, made with gouache, watercolor and handmade inks and collaged paper. I live in a 300ish ft. studio apartment which is also my artist studio (more details on that later) that requires me to work small and practically. I work a full-time job (in the arts thankfully) so artmaking isn’t what’s paying my bills or occupying my full attention. That about sums me up for the moment. I have plenty more to elaborate on later.
Welcome to my little corner of the world, and thank you for reading! - Sam
