We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Tay recently and have shared our conversation below.

Samantha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project that I have worked on up to date has to be the series of bear drawings I have done over the past year. At first, it was just a way to motivate myself to sit down and draw everyday. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to share them on social media and they eventually gained quite a bit of traction online, while not every single drawing gets a groundbreaking amount of views, I have certainly found myself with a small following.
The reason why the bear series has meant so much to me is because it’s showed me that my art certainly has value- which is something I questioned for a long time and had struggled with. Since then, I’ve gotten hundreds of comments and messages from people telling me how much they love my art as well as the joy it brings to their daily lives. To me, this has been absolutely priceless.
People from all over the world have expressed appreciation for the work and have supported me by purchasing originals, stickers, t-shirts, magnets, etc. I’m hoping that as I grow, my opportunities to make high-quality merchandise will expand. It has been an incredible experience to have so many awesome people want to support my work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Samantha Tay, known on social media as @samtayart. I’m a 2023 graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, currently living in Chicago. I’ve grown a following of over 30,000 across my platforms through my series “drawing bears until someone cares.”
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, it’s something I’ve loved from a very early age. When I wasn’t outside playing with bugs or getting endlessly fascinated by nature and wildlife, I was almost always in an art room, drawing my favorite animal or my favorite baseball player.
My art style has evolved significantly over the years, but my instinct for technique has always been there. I try to approach a blank sheet of paper the same way I approach life: with blind confidence. My work often features continuous lines, bright colors, and distorted forms built from geometric shapes. It’s important to me to fill the space of the page as much as possible, both to be efficient with my materials and to create engaging, dynamic compositions.
I’ve gained traction on social media with my bear series, which has led to commissions, as well as sales of original pieces, stickers, and other merchandise- an experience that’s been incredibly rewarding. Looking ahead, I hope to create a children’s book and explore ideas that I’ve put on the back burner, including making more baseball-inspired artwork.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the mindset that comes with it. Years of creating have taught me patience and a deep appreciation for taking my time. There were plenty of moments when I rushed a piece or jumped into a sketch I knew wasn’t my best, simply because I didn’t yet have the drive and patience I’ve developed now. It often takes a hard lesson to remind yourself not to skip the basics, especially after spending over 20 hours rendering a weak sketch, only to realize how much time you could have saved by putting more care into the foundation. As I’ve matured, I’ve come to appreciate those teaching moments much more.
Beyond that, creating things that make people happy is a privilege I don’t take for granted. It’s equally fulfilling and genuinely fun to make something with your hands. Recently, I’ve gotten back into throwing pottery on the wheel through a class at a local studio, which has been a great excuse to get out of the house during the colder months. It’s been a refreshing change of pace to focus on a medium outside my usual work, and I’ve found that it’s helped me rethink and refine my approach to my everyday art.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion, one of the best ways to support artists is by attending local art festivals. They’re a great place to find unique gifts, home décor, handmade mugs, and plenty of original artwork that’s worth seeing. They also make for a fun family outing, every festival I’ve attended has had a great selection of food trucks. Sharing art you love on social media can make a bigger impact than people realize, too. You never know who might see something and decide to support that artist.
Another meaningful way to support artists is by commissioning work. If you have the means and enjoy someone’s art, it’s always worth reaching out. Whether it’s a portrait of your pet, a painting of you and your partner, or a drawing of your favorite fictional character, custom pieces can be incredibly special. Speaking from personal experience, taking on commissions has pushed me out of my comfort zone at times. Interpreting a client’s vision, especially when it’s outside of what I usually create, can be challenging. That challenge is also what makes it so rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samtayart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samtayart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sam-Tay-100081134193499/
• Twitter: https://x.com/samtayart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SamTayArt/shorts
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@samtayart