We recently connected with Samantha Felix and have shared our conversation below.

Samantha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful, you must have a level of confidence in yourself that is borderline delusional. If you want others to support you and believe in you, then you must lead by example. Believe and support yourself unconditionally. Last year, I threw an art showcase with my friend where everything that went wrong did. We had to find a new venue just a week before the show and when I saw it on the day of the ecvent, it did not look like the pictures. Some artists dropped out at the last minute, and we weren’t even sure if our most popular performer would show up. My friend wanted to cancel the event, but I refused. Despite all the chaos, I kept telling myself that the show had to be a success, especially after all the money we had invested. We had an amazing turnout. The artists were satisfied and the guests all gave positive feedback. By having unwavering confidence that we would put on a successful show, we did just that.

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 am often asked, “How long have you been creating for?” As simple as that question may be, I always pause before I answer. This is because I don’t remember a point where I started creating. Art has simply always been with me. My business is called Sketched by Sam. I sell paintings, prints, and T-shirts, and I also do commissions. I got started during the pandemic when I had a lot of time on my hands. More importantly, I was in a transitional phase where I was discovering who I was. My work centers around black femininity. It is a reflection of my smiles, my triumphs, my fears, and my tears. Through my work, I aim to share my vulnerability and create a space for others to be vulnerable as well.

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

While I have been creating my entire life, I was not always good. I wanted to go to college and major in fine arts. However, I did not get into any program. I was very discouraged. In fact, one college recruiter referred to my work as amateur. I ended up going to school for business. Throughout my time at school, I did not create too much. After graduating, I realized I could not let comments and outside opinions affect my love for art. Since then, I have sold the most paintings, done the most commissions, had my work on display in galleries, and more.

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

Oftentimes, people will ask you what a piece means to you. Some people can find that they relate to the message, which is definitely a great feeling. However, the most rewarding aspect is when people use their own life experiences and their own personal stories to create their meaning and interpretation of your work. It shows me that my work is creating that safe space where people can reach into their past experiences and see the beauty of their journey through art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sgfcreationz.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketched_x_sam/

Image Credits

Lionel Petion