Samara Shuter, An Artist and Her Work

Above Image Courtesy of Samara Shuter

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” – Émile Zola

Photo Courtesy of Samara Shuter

As talented as she is hard-working, Samara Shuter has produced art that’s caught the attention of many.  From Esquire to Elite Daily, her work continues to gain momentum and for great reason.

Samara’s contemporary artwork paints personality from every day life, in particular menswear.  Turning lines from inanimate objects like suits and leather jackets into illuminating movement, Samara’s paintings stretch beyond the canvas inspiring viewers to build life from fashionable formations.

As one of our favorite artists, we wanted to share Samara’s story and art…

So you started in the film business… naturally I have to ask, can you give us the Movie Trailer introduction to yourself?
“(Deep voice) THIS SUMMER, comes a story of a girl (dramatic pause)… who paints boys…”
And at this point I can’t decide if it would be a wash of thunderous music, or perhaps a light, peppy, bird-chirping whistle that brings the next scene onto a sun-lit patch of grass with me running through it, with paint brushes stuck through my bun and dandelions floating behind me in the breeze.

Photo Courtesy of Samara Shuter

So what’s been an influence or primary interest in creating art?
My family’s background is in the textile industry out of Montreal, Canada. So since I was very young, I have been surrounded by pattern swatches and rolls of fabric. I’ve always been intrigued by garments, and their origins. I’ve also been a doodler my whole life and love experimenting with colour and composition.

How did the idea to paint certain menswear items come about? What does the theme symbolize?
I am attracted to the architecture and line work in the design of a suit, but I also find that it is a complex and interesting place from which to explore different artistic modes (colour, form, pattern, etc) and themes (power and societal pressure, etc). I’ve been reaching into other subjects, like the leather jackets for example, but am always attracted to iconic items that imply a powerful presence and intriguing persona.

And you never paint the person?
Even though we photograph people as a starting point, I’m always more interested in the character and energy of the piece.

Photo Courtesy of Samara Shuter

RE: initial concept. When plotting or painting outfits do you go through a process? i.e. Who this person is, their name? Do they eat organic cereal for breakfast? Do they drink Lone Star? Is their favorite actor Matthew McConaughey?
I draw inspiration from so many places. I used to doodle on napkins after seeing someone walk by, or noticing a look on television. I then started to flip through magazines… and now I shoot my own stuff.

Any external inspiration or advice that’s stuck around through the years?
Work hard, be kind.

What’s been the biggest obstacle and how did you / do you get around it?
I knew when I decided to go “all-in”, that I never wanted to become part of the “starving artist” status-quo. And I knew that in order to do so, I would have to dedicate time, aside from painting to looking at the big picture, and exploring ways to take my work to an international level. I’d say I’ve been very lucky, but that is me being grateful for the result of extremely hard work, which includes everything from painting, to sending emails into the early morning, and even having thick skin when necessary.

Photo Courtesy of Samara Shuter

Has there been a point in time in particular when you were like – “oh my lapels, I’ve made it”? Any shining moments?
I’ve been extremely fortunate that every show has been more successful than the last. I’m trying to get better at appreciating our accomplishments in the moment, but I’m constantly looking forward to my next challenge and experimenting with new avenues to get my work out there.

If there is one – what’s the main takeaway you’d like for someone to have when viewing your art?
I’d hope the viewer would feel empowered and energized.

Photo Courtesy of Samara Shuter

Any collaboration in particular that you’ve especially enjoy / any you hope to have?
We’ve been lucky enough to work with some prominent companies and designers like Timberland, Saks, Facebook, and most recently the Toronto Blue Jays. We’ve got a lot up our sleeve for 2017.

If you could have coffee with any 5 people – who would it be?
Jonathan Meese, mic drop.

What’s next?!
I’ve been working on brand new pieces for the Fall so stay tuned!

Photo Courtesy of Samara Shuter

To learn and see more of Samara’s art, check out her website here.  Connect with her on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook!