Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cecily Sammons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Cecily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

After leaving my job as a teacher, I decided to get back to doing art on a regular basis. Teaching had really taken most of my time over the years and as a result, in my free time, I just didn’t do all of the creative things that I once did. When I left my teaching job in 2021, my husband and I started talking about all of the possibilities. I found a studio in midtown and just started painting again. At that time, I didn’t really have a lot of expectations for myself as far as business goes. I just needed time and the freedom to be creative. It really was therapeutic for me. The more I painted, the more I started to think about the things I wanted to do as an artist. I am just letting it happen organically, and I know that I am lucky to be able to do it that way. It’s amazing the connections and opportunities that have come my way in such a short period. Each time I do a new show, or market, or get contacted by a potential client, it feels like a dream! I am excited about the future and just want to do more and more.

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

I am a wife, step-mom, and former teacher who decided in her 40s to start doing art full time.. I have always been a creative person but the closest I ever was to “professional” was doing calligraphy as a side job when I was in my 20s. After leaving teaching, I decided to paint with the dream of having other people interested in my art. The more I painted, the more that dream became a reality, and the more I wanted to put myself out there. My paintings are mostly bright, dramatic florals and boldly-colored abstract pieces-most of which make me think about landscapes or other things from nature.
I am excited to have clients shop from my current works or create a custom commission piece that will work specifically for their space.
I am most proud that I have put myself out there for people to see. Art is so personal and when people look at it, it feels like they are looking directly into your soul, which makes it hard to want to expose yourself in that way. Every time I get positive feedback or someone purchases a piece and is excited about it, it just makes me so happy.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is having people interested to look at, discuss, and even purchase your artwork. It’s so validating. It sounds crazy, but when I paint something, I can remember almost everything about the process. What worked, what didn’t, what “disaster” happened along the way, when I thought it was amazing, when I thought I shouldn’t be doing this anymore, what music I was listening to when I painted it, and finally, when I knew it had all it needed and was complete. So, to have people interested in what comes out of that process, is just so much fun to experience.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

If you are interested in art or looking for a piece for your home, get out and go to art shows and festivals. Learn about artists in your area and go meet them. Making personal connections is so important and can help you love a piece of art even more. Even if you don’t purchase something from an artist, but you love their work, tell other people about them. So many opportunities come from people sharing what they have seen or experienced. Word of mouth and people sharing on social media goes such a long way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @cecilysammonsart
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Smash Studios