Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Shumaker.
Samantha, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
It all started back in 2016 when I was finishing my Associate’s degree in Elementary Education. I was feeling lost in life and decided to start picking up drawing and painting again after many years of not creating art. I found myself rushing through my homework in order to have time to pick up the paintbrush. One day, my friend saw a Facebook post about a call for artists for a local art show. I was really nervous, but I decided to give it a try. Reluctantly, I submitted the only four pieces I have made since high school. All the nerves melted away as soon as soon as I got to the show. I sold one of the pieces and made a lot of new connections that evening with some really wonderful artists and art appreciators. I felt on top of the world!
Fast forward and that first art show was what motivated me to try making more art in order to be closer to the local art community and improve my skills. Every month I tried to do an event and pushed myself harder in the studio to paint more in order to be a part of those shows. I tried anything and everything. From art walks outdoors to the few gallery shows I could get in the beginning, I was hooked on being a part of something so wonderful. I loved having something to work towards helping me stay disciplined in the studio.
Then I stumbled across a YouTube channel of a lovely artist named Lena Danya. She was around my age and was making a living creating art. I thought, how amazing would it be wake up every morning with a warm cup of coffee, settle into a studio full of art and grow a skill that I feel passionately about? I became engulfed in learning about the technical side of art. I started watching videos by her and many other artists on YouTube about how to paint. I also would reach out to artists that I admire, asking about their techniques and they were so kind to give me pointers and input. I would go to museums and study the brush strokes of the masters.
Another part of me became engulfed in the business side of art. I began to read books about marketing, brand building, and customer service. I found that in order to maximize my reach I would have to expand my audience online. By making YouTube videos, posting work in progress pictures and creating connections online, I began to find a home in the e-community too. I met so many amazing artists who were also pushing to become entrepreneurs! It was another facet of learning that I felt drawn to.
I feel like being an artist in the local and online art community is like being a cell to a lung; without it I feel powerless. But when I’m tapped in with other artists, I feel a purpose greater than myself.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I primarily portray powerful women in surreal landscapes using different mediums. I’m a jack of all trades! I’m mostly known for my acrylic gouache and oil paintings of these beings, but I also dabble in mural painting, sculpting frames for my paintings, photography, sculpting dolls and playing with new forms of media. I tend to bounce around all of these mediums in order to keep things interesting and learn a little about each. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with acrylic gouache paintings because of the vibrant opacity of the medium and how it allows me to get a somewhat abstract surreal texture that I can’t replicate with any other medium.
As far as the message behind my work, it’s my way of storytelling about the inner workings of my mind. I like to make strange, otherworldly places because it’s a place I wish I could explore. I like to make creepy alien-esque women because I like to imagine these creatures from another dimension. It’s like I’m creating a world entirely different from the one I live in. It allows me to explore these worlds that live inside my mind and give others a glimpse at this imagery and build upon this fictional alien realm every day. I want people to have a sense of awe that I get when imagining them.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The biggest challenge facing artists today is one’s own mind. For me personally, my biggest obstacles are the venom of failure’s bite, the anxiety of not feeling that my work is good enough, and the crippling fear of rejection. Every day I have to push that to the back of my mind and just create for the sake of having fun. Being connected to the community helps because having that kinship and finding that it’s something most artists experience helps me feel at ease. The fact is that failure, feelings of inadequacy and rejection will happen; but true growth will happen when you learn from these experiences and share one’s challenges with others.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be seen scattered around the little crevices in Orlando with little bits and pieces taking a journey via spaceship throughout the United States and on the interweb. I primarily showcase in Orlando and am expanding outwards to other cities. I post about upcoming shows and works in progress on my Facebook and Instagram for anyone interested in seeing them. My website is where you can see my portfolio in its entirety.
People who enjoy my work can support my work by following, sharing and leaving a comment on my social platforms, coming out to shows locally, and also adopting my aliens for their own homes. Proceeds will go towards building materials for my otherworldly realm. I’m so thankful for everyone who has supported me throughout my journey and wish to grow in every direction in my adventure as an artist!
Contact Info:
- Address: Orlando, FL
- Website: shumakerart.com
- Email: shumakersamantha9@gmail.com
- Instagram: @shumakerart
- Facebook: facebook.com/samanthashumakerart
- Other: youtube.com/shumakerart
Image Credit:
Samantha Shumaker
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
