We were lucky to catch up with Sam Iaconi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I’ve always been very calculated. I like planning and “sticking to it”, so much so, that in almost every aspect of my life I’m makings lists just to “cross off” tasks and goals. It left very little room for risk taking. In fact, for most of my life I’ve avoided risk taking all together. Applying to the Maryland Institute College of Art for undergrad was the first time I treaded in risk taking; the first in my family to attend college with no back up plan or work experience. I had spent all of my high school years in a Culinary Major, focusing on my art practice in my free time. It didn’t seem likely to many that I would get accepted, however, I took a risk on myself and applied solely to MICA and was accepted. It wasn’t until years after graduation that I truly began to push my limitations and take more personal and professional risks. I learned that taking the risks was a part of the journey and even in the failures, new connections and avenues are created. Some of the most inspiring connections I have made in the last 6 years were a direct result of taking a risk in my art practice and career goals. The saying “the bigger the risk the bigger the reward” is growing on me.
Sam, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In college, my painting practice was truly everywhere. I was trying to find a voice in my work and wasn’t really that successful. I was able to book a few small household painting murals, but they didn’t start any real career traction. COVID was what brought me back to plein air painting. I loved it in college, so during quarantine, I spent a lot of time in my yard painting small 3inx6in plein air paintings while my son played with his toys. I began submitting those small paintings to shows and got my first exhibition inclusion at Hamilton Art Gallery. I maintained a surreal painting studio practice and would plein air paint in between larger surreal paintings to “rest my mind”. I began participating in plein air competitions and exhibitions. and while not winning those competitions, I made valuable connections which lead to new collectors of my plein air work. I’ve been able to provide “House Portraits” of many beloved homes to their owners, memorable local landscapes to residents, historical murals and business portraits to local businesses. I truly love painting at my easel and capturing moments in the community. I love how special it is for people to see the beauty in the everyday. While my surreal studio painting practice will continue, I’ve truly been enjoying plein air painting and the connection it has to the community.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
The best resource is the connections you make through networking. It’s something I was told time and time again in college and didn’t really take seriously. I was really struggling to get started in my career and the biggest strides I’ve made came from networking. People won’t know about your work if people don’t know about you, so you have to go out and meet those people. Other artists and creatives are amazing resources too. Many creatives have or are going through the same things as you and can share tip and tricks they’ve learned along the way.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
It always boils down to sharing the work. I love the conversations and connections viewers have with the work and how individualized it is. Making the work provides a specific experience to me, and then the experience of the viewer is completely separate. It is also incredibly rewarding to share the process of plein air painting with those passing by my easel. I’ve struck up many enlightening conversations with viewers and learned a lot about my community from sharing the process and the work. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.behance.net/samanthaiaconi
- Instagram: @samiaconi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamIaconiArt