We were lucky to catch up with Sam Jamison recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sam, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I knew I wanted to be an artist from the time I was five, but probably earlier like 3 or 2; whenever I was first introduced to crafts at daycare probably. I remember watching the Barbie Rapunzel movie and watching Rapunzel paint literal portals on the wall in her room in her castle, in order to leave the tower. There was also an extra on the DVD menu a painter called Amanda Dunbar, sort of an art21-type video. She had the coolest studio I’d ever seen. I think it was then that I decided I wanted to be an artist. I also remember my dad making his oil paintings of ducks and other wildlife in our basement, and thinking how much I admired his skill and how I wanted to be that good someday.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into drawing when I was probably about 5 as I mentioned before; I was inspired by the Barbie Rapunzel movie and my dad but I also know it was a self-soothing technique that I engaged in kind-of instinctually from a young age. While I was growing up, I slowly developed the idea that I’d be an animator or illustrator, and from there formed the idea of going into concept art after graduation, so I chose to attend the Minneapolis College of Art and Design since it is a big animation+illustration school right now. After about one semester though, I quickly switched gears back to painting, as I was so inspired by all the upper classmen’s paintings I’d seen around campus. The degree I have now is a BFA in drawing/painting.
While I am still a very early career artist (I graduated in December 2021), I do not make my salary solely on my art, although that is the dream. I’ve been in a few local shows and I sell work/do commissions a few times a year, but my favorite part about post grad has been having the time to connect with fellow creatives in my city who I didn’t go to school with. I am very grateful to have come back to Minneapolis after a living in LA for a short time because the underground creative community here is just unbeatable. Even though I can’t make work as much as I’d like due to my job, I’m at least never short of ideas thanks to the people I’ve surrounded myself with.

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

Remember that art makes great gifts! Also we need to bring back patrons in a big way. I’m not sure how to get rich people to care about the artist again rather than the art though.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Very very bad. And stupid. Why?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samjam2019.wixsite.com/samsart/general-7
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samjamisononline/