Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Pletcher.

Hi Sam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My practice began out of a combination of my inability to sit still and my mind’s tendency to wander. When you have a brain that is constantly overthinking and processing and spinning, getting some of that energy out of your head and onto a piece of paper can feel immensely relieving (I often find that after dumping out your mind like that can lead to space for brand new thoughts). Drawing is such an important medium for me because of that and it’s the medium I have the most experience in, since I was drawing even before I felt comfortable calling myself an artist. But since I also crave color and texture and trying new mediums, I soon started exploring painting, and then printmaking and eventually sewing sequins. It’s important for me to keep my art practice fresh and playful, so I do still dabble around between known mediums and trying new things!

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?
I would be surprised if any artist claimed that their path to success was a smooth road! It’s not an easy feat to carve out a space for yourself in a capitalist society that loves art but does not always value it. You really have to believe in yourself and the work that you do, because it naturally will be questioned and critiqued, so it’s important that you have the caring strength to contend for your art. I’ve definitely become much more self assured about my artwork and practice, and am happy and comfortable defending it when prompted to do so.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I would say that my work with sequins sets me apart from other artists, only because it’s a very unusual medium to see outside of children’s’ crafts or fashion. People don’t expect to come across sequins on a painting, which typically produces a moment of joyful surprise once they realize what they are looking at. They also do not expect the sequins to be sewn by hand either; often they assume I glue the sequins on to the canvas. But hand sewing them gives me more control over their placement and also allows me to go at my own pace without having to wait for the glue to dry (or making a mess out of the glue!).

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To not compare myself to others (still learning this one!!). It’s very true what they say, that everyone goes at their own pace. I think the act of stopping on your path to look around and checking your progress versus what you perceive as other peoples’ progress can be damaging to your own path. One reason being that it is impossible to determine someone else’s success and progress based on your impression of them, because that’s not something you can parse without that person’s own insight. Another reason being that comparison slows your own progress, since it distracts you from creating new art and disrupts your currently operating trains of thought. Continuously comparing yourself to others is bound to lead to lots of self doubt and second guessing and not a lot of wholesome personal growth, I’ve found. But is it easy to stop doing? Nope! It requires a conscious practice of reminding yourself to stay on your own path, which will eventually become more engrained and less manual.

Contact Info:

• Website: sampletcher.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sampletchergoods