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BOOM! The first time I saw the work of Los Angeles based artist Samantha Fields, I thought “Wow, amazing photographs!” … until, of course, I realized that they were paintings. Yeah, PAINTINGS. Sam airbrushes layers and layers and layers and layers of misty paint to create the most ethereal, absolutely stunning work. You can listen up there right under that sky full o’ fireworks, or you can subscribe on iTunes.
First up, some of her latest work along with a peek into her studio/her process:
There’s Baby at work – that’s Sam’s airbrush, not my nickname for her! Wow. She wasn’t kidding about all of those layers and her minimal studio. It would have to be, otherwise all of her trinkets and plants would be covered in a thick layer of paint, eventually.
Alright, these pieces are from Sam’s storm chasing days… her poor mother.
See! Proof… Sam in the middle of a highway just lookin’ for trouble to paint!
Again, more proof. The wildfires of California that called her name every time a new blaze broke out:
Destruction and beauty, rolled elegantly into one image.
This was such a good story! When Sam set off to document the aftermath of the Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption, but instead found, well, FOG:
Gasp! Who knew fog could be so absolutely beautiful! Thank goodness for happy accidents. I had to include this close-up… it still doesn’t do her work justice, but at least you can begin to see the “wisps” of paint. When she said she “paints atmosphere with atmosphere” she meant it.
Ah, next… the rainy highway paintings. These were some of the first pieces of Sam’s I ever saw. And yes, I totally thought they were photographs:
Right!? They make my heart skip a beat.
Now, usually I start these posts with my favorite pieces, but today I’m ending the post that way. Sam’s fireworks. Oh. My. Goodness.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
I can almost smell the smoke, and hear those chest-thumping BOOMS echoing through LA’s hills. I cannot imagine being able to paint like this, let alone with an airbrush named ‘Baby’. Sigh. I’m so glad Sam was able to do this with me. She’s insightful, determined, and creative to the core; thank you to Saatchi Art for supporting episode 91; and thanks to YOU for listening! There will be more art for your ear next weekend.
ps. Here are a few pieces from the portfolio of Sam’s very talented husband, Andre Yi:
Other links:
- Aaron Smith Episode
- Ashley Mistriel Episode
- Sam’s work at Good Eye Gallery, LA
- Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Beverly Fishman
- Cal. State Northridge
- Charles & Ray Eames
- Museum of Art & History, Lancaster (Sam’s retrospective show will be here)
- Traywick Contemporary (Sam’s LA Gallery)
- Mr & Mrs Exquisite Corpse
Source: thejealouscurator