We recently had the chance to connect with Samantha Wott and have shared our conversation below.
Samantha, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I don’t work during typical hours being a night owl by nature. I start my day at 1pm with a hour and a half to wake up and watch a movie or show to have a breath before diving into work. For the next two hours I do a lot of behind the scenes. Photographing and videotaping works in progress and any finished pieces for social media and photos for my online shop. And then, corresponding with clients, galleries, and art event coordinators. Next is usually researching references for my more complex works which can be images or written information. After that, I take time for a short break before starting for the night of painting. I typically start around 8pm getting the studio organized and prepared for which painting or paintings I will be working on. Since I work in multiple mediums, each piece of work can be a little different. I spend about two hours at a time painting, taking on average thirty minute breaks to allow things to dry and to move around to keep my pain manageable. I stop around 1am for the day and read for a few hours before going to bed. I do my best to give myself time to do the things I like daily as they are a large part of what inspires me to create, such as reading, gaming and what I watch. Art influences art.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist and Marine veteran. I have been a professional artist for eight years. From Fandom to Fantasy you can find original one of a kind pieces. I enjoy making fan art, appreciating putting my own joy and touch into them. Especially, including small details that other fans can get excited about. I work in multiple mediums that create a unique look in my art. Bold colors, and moments paused in time.
I work to make my art accessible to people of all backgrounds. Turning my original work into stickers, prints, cards and bookmarks so far.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
We all have past versions of ourselves that can still serve us, even if we have out grown who that was. I will always be a Marine but being an active one is just no longer possible. That super physical person that busted butt to earn the respect of her peers through physical ability at 19. Is not something you can keep up with forever, especially after being injured. It took years to adapt to this new reality and be happy in it. Letting go of a part of yourself that for years was all you were, may never be fully accomplished. Growing into something more or new starts when you choose to.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My most defining wound is actually a physical injury, although saying it is healed would be incorrect. I was injured while training in the Marine Corps that turned into a chronic condition that I still live with over a decade later. I had to learn to be kind to myself and give my self grace when my pain flares up. As well as how to properly manage my pain by regulating my time and breaks. It took a few years to relearn how to live with these new limitations.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am in the middle of a long term project that I started in 2020 that is by and for Women Around the World and their cultures. It’s my hope that this series will prompt people to look outside their own cultures and where they live. Each work focuses on the clothing, hair style, makeup, performing arts, religion and mythology of the culture. Each piece is a combination of different mediums from watercolor, ink, gouache, color pencils, acrylic, and markers. I take a few months to research before even doing the first rough sketch. I have finished Japan and Korea, I am currently working on the Northeast Indigenous people of North America. I am aiming to do a minimum of twenty works in this series.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
The simple answer is yes. If you get into art and expect praise you would be in for a bit of a disappointment. There’s a quip “the artwork sells when the artist is dead”, and we artists around the world work against such a harsh saying.
It defines our work can only be valuable when we’re dead, when that isn’t true. So yes, I will give everything to my art without the promise of praise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.swolfart.com
- Instagram: S.wolf.art
- Linkedin: Samantha Wott
- Facebook: SWolf-Art
- Youtube: S Wolf Art
- Other: TikTok S.wolf.Art
Cara SWolfArt
