How do you describe what you do?
I create illustrations and handmade pieces that celebrates playfulness with bright colours and cheerful, sometimes cheeky monkeys.
How did you get started as an artist?
It’s always been part of my world really, my mother is an artist so being creative as a child was encouraged. I studied Graphic Communication at the Institute, then BA Graphic Arts: Illustration in Winchester - I loved every minute of both those courses and think they really helped me to start developing a ‘creative voice’.
Joining Makerspace in 2019 gave me the opportunity to carry on developing that, with access to facilities and a creative community, which are things I had missed so much after being at art school.
What makes your work and/or process unique?
I enjoy creating playful illustrations as much as I do makings things, so I look for ways to bring these together. Once I’ve finished a drawing, I think about how I could turn it into something tangible. Other times, I’ll make functional ceramics and try and find ways to make them look playful.
What piece of work or project are you most proud of?
I’m proudest of whatever I’m making at the time; I enjoy the process and learning from my mistakes so that I can apply that and improve the next thing I make. At the moment, it’d be the newest versions of the monkeys pots - but I haven’t finished them yet so we’ll see!
Project wise - It was nice to have an album cover in Secret 7’’ exhibition in 2020. There was a bunch of artists I admire doing it too, so it was cool to think that what I’d made was in the same space as their work and raising money for Choose Love.
When you have the dreaded creative block, where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
I’ll take the pressure off myself and set some time aside to listen to music or podcasts and just doodle in my sketchbook. Eventually I’ll end up finding an idea for something to draw in a song lyrics or strange information I hear about, like the ‘Dancing plague of 1518’…That was weird, but it stopped a creative block and started the idea for a dancing skeleton print.
What other artist or maker do you admire and why?
Oh there’s so many, and I’m always finding new ones on Instagram. I came across Peter Lubach recently and his ceramics are inspiring. The artist duo ‘We are out of Office’ and their amazing risograph prints too.
I can’t name them all but these are some of the people I look forward to seeing new things from in my feed: Felt Mistress, Al Murphy, Jack Teagle, Croucher.li, d.f.t.e, Loro Verz, Amy Victoria Marsh, Sucklord.
Any books on your shelf or exhibitions and events coming up you can recommend?
Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans - shows a really nice range of ceramics being made around the world.
Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative - Manifesto/tips for unlocking creativity.
Whatcha mean, what’s a zine? - Great reference book for DIY zines.
The London Illustration Fair is back on the 2nd - 4th December & I’ll be at Made in Colchester’s Christmas Market on the 3rd December.
Why is Colchester Makerspace important to you/or and your work?
It’s such a precious thing to have a space like this available. I’d never have thrown a pot or met so many other creatives without Makerspace. It’s given me the opportunity to be part of a community, learn new skills, as well as space and equipment to develop in my own time. The pottery and printing courses I’ve taken in the space have helped to shape what I make in such a positive way. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
Sam’s work will be on display and available to buy for the month of December at Patch in front of the Makerspace at Trinity Works.