Now, I can’t really tell you that I’m the most
knowledgeable person when it comes to artists or even art for that matter, but
I can be inspired when I see something rather up my street. The artist, Sam Shuter,
lives and works in Toronto and creates wonderfully unique pieces. They are unique because of the subject matter
that she chooses to paint, which is…SUITS!
To find out more about this emerging talent, here is an interview with
the girl herself.
Firstly, I love your work...I
don't think I have seen someone paint my favourite subject matter 'suits' in
such a creative way, how did you get into painting in the first place?
Thank you! Painting
was something I did to chill out, I used to doodle more than anything and
then I began creating abstract paintings... and one day I decided to put one of
my doodles on top of another painting I had created and voila! I was
hooked. I love the "busyness" of all of the colour, matched
with the outline of the suits... sort of symbolizing the "go getter",
among other things.
Your use of colour is great, is
colour a big influence on your work?
I am greatly influenced by colour. If I see a
combination I like, I make note of it right away. Sometimes I bring
different swatches together until I'm feeling their flow. Most of the time I just go for it and I'll
add onto the canvas if I feel like something is missing. I'm really into
colour balance too - it’s important; I don't want to overwhelm anyone including
myself. It depends what the focal point is, sometimes I like when the
drawing gets lost into other elements of the piece, other times I want the
figure to stand out the most, straight n' centre!
What interesting things have you
been working on currently?
First and foremost, I am working to develop my
latest series of watches called "Times like These".
I am also in the midst of working on a couple more
pieces from "The Introduction"; it seems I'll always be
"introducing" something!
I have a lot of opportunities on the table now to collaborate with some
interesting companies as well and work on some unique projects over this coming
summer. Ultimately, I won't be able to participate in everything. It’s
important for me to create an agenda around organic influences, and not
over-saturate my work with things that aren't in line with my art. I have a
group show in a couple of months, and I am having my first big solo show this
fall.
Do you use live models or do you just
paint using a picture?
I come to my drawings in so many different ways.
I've doodled on restaurant napkins after being inspired from seeing someone on
the street through the window. I've flipped through magazines, looked on blogs
and even had some friends pose for photos. I have plenty of material, but
not all I find inspiring. I went through a very static phase, and then I went
through a busy movement phase. It depends a lot on my mood. Live models
would get so tired!
I love the idea behind one of
your photo's 'it's going to rain' how did you come up with this concept? (PICTURED BELOW)
"It’s going to rain" with the umbrella is
totally unlisted! It’s one of the first pieces I ever created with a suit,
based off of an old photo of Neil Patrick Harris. It’s one of the first pieces
I ever posted on my blog, but it’s not listed under my "Series" page
online. Good eye!
What influences and inspires your
work?
Everything! Mostly colour. I'll feel a burst of
energy and it'll ignite a desire to combine certain colours. These
colours create a mood. I usually combine that mood with that of the object's
pose, or vice versa. I am also really inspired by symmetrical lines and
details. There are many stages during the creation process. I start, I
love it. I hate it. I love it again, I hate it again and then I start to
appreciate the work more as I enter into the "final touches". But it’s
hard to know if it is ever really "finished”.
A unique and inspiring talent, I hope you fellow Sartorialist’s
enjoy this artist’s work as much as I do.
To see more of Sam’s work head over to her website: www.iamsammo.com Word on the grapevine is that Sam could be
over in the UK sometime soon, and I’m sure Savile Row and Mayfair will inspire
her even more. I’m a fan and I hope you
are too! Below, is a recent picture of Sam, creating one of her latest works.