We recently connected with Sam Onche and have shared our conversation below.

Sam, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a very young age, creativity has always been at the heart of who I am. I was naturally drawn to visual storytelling and creating images. Until I moved to America in 2015, becoming a professional artist felt like an unattainable luxury. Growing up in a low-income household in Nigeria, a career in art didn’t seem like a reliable path to a secure future. But during my first year of college, after receiving a basketball scholarship, I took a chance and chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in studio art and art history essentially carving out a way to become a professional artist. Deep down, I always knew I was born to create; I just needed the right opportunity to prove it

Sam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Sam Onche, a Nigerian artist and writer currently based in Chicago. Ever since I was young, I dreamed of becoming an artist, and I’m grateful to now live that dream. My work centers around people of color, culture, and representation. I’m passionate about storytelling and strive to portray people in the most beautiful and meaningful way through painting, illustration, and poetry. You can find my work in galleries, magazines, book and album covers, and picture books. As an artist, I believe what sets me apart is my distinctive style and bold use of color to tell stories. I gravitate toward saturated palettes and strong shapes that make my work both visually compelling and emotionally resonant.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Growing up in Nigeria in a low-income household meant that if you wanted a future, you had to fight for it. I always knew I wanted to be an artist, but I also knew I had to change my circumstances to make that dream possible. Basketball became my way out, a way to create opportunity. By the time I was 15, I was attending every basketball camp I could, hoping to get noticed by American scouts who visited Nigeria during the summer. I also sent out over 100 emails to schools across the U.S., searching for scholarship opportunities. Eventually, I was blessed with a chance and made the difficult decision to leave my entire family behind to chase my dream. It wasn’t easy, especially at such a young age, but those experiences shaped who I am and gave me the strength to grow.

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

I love the feeling my work creates. I feel fulfilled when I can connect with people and spark conversations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sogoarts.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallass_illustrator?igsh=MWFzOHQyc245a3I2Zw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr