Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Kuchwara.
Hi Sam, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I always loved to draw and paint but didn’t really get started with any classes until senior year of high school, and just remember thinking that I want to spend way more time doing this. After a few intro classes in college, I basically was still thinking the same thing, so I majored. When I came home I immediately started doing first Friday shows, mostly through business owners I already knew, then got to know the scene. At my other job at Scranton Running Company, the owners asked for a mural and our logo painted on the wall, and that really helped get me started with other murals and large scale pieces.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In some ways yes but of course not entirely – while I always have projects lined up and other part time work, it’s not always clear when to allocate time differently. There’s definitely busier seasons for art for me and thankfully my other work is flexible. Also while showing art definitely is something that happens out in community, making it is usually pretty solitary, and I think for an artist I’m kind of extroverted in a way so it’s a matter of balancing time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m primarily a painter, and specialize in a few things – hand painted murals, landscape paintings, and mixed media pieces that often feature found objects. I dabble in a few other things too, including DJing, but I’d say most people know my work from First Fridays and murals, especially the Scranton neighborhood mural at Scranton Running Company. (Having worked there a long time, some people know me just from there too!)
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you’re someone who wants to get into visual arts, we have an amazing community to learn from and get involved- and for working on your own, build momentum with the smallest increments – little 20 minute sessions, nights where all you can do is break ground on a canvas, and jumping into group shows all really adds up!
Pricing:
- Pet portraits – $100-$300
- Other custom canvas paintings – $100-350
- Prints – $15-50
- Murals – site specific
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/samuelniles
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/artbysamkuchwara
