Meet Samuel Perry | Contemporary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samuel Perry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samuel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I always remembered being into drawing as a kid. I would sketch super heros and make up my own cartoon characters. As a kid who as bullied a lot for being shy, it brought me a lot of joy and a form of escapism. But like many sensitive kids, especially in the rural area of the U.S. it was clear pursuing art was not going to be a reliable way to support youself financially. I stopped sketching and paining for years and followed the conventional path of college.

However, I always felt like something was missing. There was this part of me that knew my life was not complete and that I was not being the person I knew I was meant to be. Eventually, I made the decision to return to making art and learning over mediums in painting and technique and this new pursuit the being more authentic to who I was I felt was coming through in the work I was making. It felt like everything clicked into place. I felt the work I was making was at a caliber to pursue establishing a career for myself. It’s challenging, of course, but also incredibly rewarding to finally be doing the thing that’s always felt most true to who I am.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work is rooted in abstract expressionism, but what sets me apart is my use a wide range of materials—graphite, charcoal, natural dyes, and collage. I love working with texture and layering, letting each medium interact in unexpected ways. Most of my pieces are medium to large scale, which gives me room to explore energy and movement in a really physical way. The rawness gives me a lot of room to experiment and respond intuitively.

Often my series with have a central theme, but mostly the focus is on the idea of paradox. I’m interested in how opposites like chaos and calm, spontaneity and control can exist in the same space. I try to create pieces that carry both a sense of energy and a feeling of stillness. I think that tension, that duality, reflects something true about life. I think part of the reason I layer different materials is because I’m always chasing that balance between control and unpredictability, between something deliberate and something that just happens. For me, it’s not about choosing one side or the other, but letting both be present and in conversation.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my best friend comes to visit, I always give them a well-rounded taste of San Diego. We start with the best coffee in town, Scrimshaw, with its chill and creative vibes. We go check out shops and murals in the area, especially around Liberty Station. Then we head to Balboa Park to visit a couple of my favorite spots such as the San Diego Museum of Art or the Timken, and definitely some time at the Museum of Photograpic Arts.

After that, we’d drive to the beach, most likely Coronado and grab lunch at the Henry. Also, a great area for shopping.

For the evening, if there’s a gallery opening or an art event happening, we’d absolutely check that out—Bread & Salt in Barrio Logan or one of the pop-ups in Logan Heights. Then wrap it up with dinner in Little Italy or a drink at The Layfette. Something that feels relaxed but still creative and inspiring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have the best support system from my friends, family and husband. They be have been unwavering in their encouragement. They’ve shown up for me in every way by coming to my shows, cheering me on through the highs and lows, and constantly reminding me that this path is worth pursuing.

Their encouragement has meant everything. Having people in your corner who believe in you, even when you have doubts yourself, makes all the difference. I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am now without them.

Website: https://www.samuelperryart.com

Instagram: @samuelperryart

Image Credits
Justin Aikin
Samuel Perry