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

Hi Sam Qavah, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I don’t. I chose to answer this question because it is not a given. It is not something most people get to do and it took me a long time to find peace in that reality. I wanted to make money doing what I love. Is that so much to ask for? Yes, in my story it was and is. But, I still get to create! I get to have a full-time job as an Operations Manager and create when I’m not doing that. How special and amazing is that! This answer is not going to be long-winded and complex. If you love making art, not getting paid for it should be the last thing stopping you. Think of all the naysayers you overcame in becoming in artist and fighting to develop your skills and be the best you can be! You didn’t do it then because it would make you rich, right? You did it because you love the rush of creating and building something that doesn’t exist anywhere else except within the confines of your limitless mind.

I don’t know if I’ll ever get to be paid full-time to be an actor and I doubt I will experience great wealth in this life but without any of that, I consider myself the richest man alive and someone who is blessed and highly favored. I get to make art and tell stories in the service of others! This may not be what you expected or wanted to hear but hey, this is my story… you can take it or leave it.

I’m thankful for you choosing to be an artist and the world is better off because of it. Don’t ever forget that.

Sam Qavah, 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?

I am most proud of my work ethic, my discipline, and my consistency. There is nothing I can’t do if I set my mind, body, and soul to it. I have built a showroom of work that I would be proud to display anywhere in the world. I have pulled myself out of the deepest pits and the most unrelenting seasons of darkness and have taken those stories and used them as my muse.
There is no telling where I will go next and just what I will create but I am thankful for the air in my lungs and the peace I have found to keep creating, especially when no one is watching.

If you commission a work from me or purchase an artwork from me (painting, film, book, photography), it will be the best thing I could create. It will be from my heart and will not pull it’s punches. It will leave you asking questions and challenging what you believe. It will be a living, breathing thing that will never give you the same thing twice. I consider myself a steward first and foremost. Your hard-earned money will be valued deeply and I will create something that is representative of the stories I’ve lived through, the emotions I’ve learned to work with instead of against and allow you to be a part of the process I’ve taken decades to develop. That is my promise.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I wasn’t meant to be here.
I was lost.
I had dropped out of high school in Bangalore, India.
I was the one that failed.
I was the one they cast out and aside…
And then… I ran away.
To a land I did not know.
To study art.
And here I stand, 4 years sober.
10 years in therapy.
5 attempts at ending my life.
Chaos and Beauty reign supreme…

And now, I have peace and hope, unending.
There is not one story from this journey I could share with you that illustrates my resilience.

Resilience is my story.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Heal the world through the love of Jesus with accountability and without judgement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://qavahcreates.my-online.store
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qavahcreates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563398761037
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-johnvg/
• Twitter: https://x.com/qavahcreates
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyUk6CX0ORd9mpYBzYaeeOA
• Other: https://substack.com/@samqavahjohn?utm_source=user-menu

Image Credits

Alex Mendizabal Meyer: Personal Photo