Samantha Hogue – Featured Artist from Olympia, Washington

We are very happy to present this month’s Featured Artist, Samantha Hogue. You can read learn more about Samantha by reading her fabulous interview below as well as view some selected works of her art. Samantha has a unique style and a wonderful talent for creating portraits!

Samantha Hogue Artwork & Image Gallery

The following gallery contains images of Samantha’s artwork. You can also go directly to the interview here.

Artist Interview With Samantha Hogue

1. Can you give the readers a bio about who you are, where you’re from, what you do, etc?
My name is Samantha Hogue. I grew up in Olympia Washington and just graduated from Washington State University-College of Nursing with my BSN and recently earned my RN. I have one older sister, one younger sister, and one twin sister who are my favorite people in the whole world.

2a. You have focused a lot on creating portraits. Is there a particular reason or motivation for this?

I love the depth and the story behind every person’s eyes. I admire people of any age, color, race, and believe that beauty has infinite and unpredictable manifestations. I love to hone in on an individual’s feature that I feel makes them unique and beautiful.

2b. Can you tell us about some of the people who have inspired you to create a portrait and in what ways have they inspired you most?

An unexpected understanding and level of empathy from a particular friend inspired me to create a piece that reciprocated his honesty about who he is. In every day, action, and interaction, he brings nothing but who he truly is. For him, I made him a piece of one of his favorite bands to thank him for allowing me to see more deeply in to the freedom of living in our own story.

Additionally, there is an artist named Bruni Sablan who has made portraits of hundreds of her favorite musicians. Her unique gift to capture the soul of jazz has inspired me to pay tribute to the artists, friends, and people that have moved me.

3a. Can you take us through some of your creative thought process when you start to paint a new portrait?

I try to find a picture that captures the individual in their most natural element that I am going to paint. I then draw a pre-paint sketch, and then I draw it on the canvas and paint over the lines. I don’t have much technique or structure to what I do, but my only rule is that it’s finished when it feels right to me. Some people may look at what I do and think “This is incomplete” but it’s not about what the picture is, but how it makes you feel. Music is always present during this process, and I’m usually alone.

3b. You mentioned that you’re a twin. Do you think being a twin gives you a unique outlook or perspective to your artwork? If so, how?

Growing up as a twin has definitely influenced the both of our character development. I am born to be an observer and a listener, while in contrast she is destined to speak her mind and educate the world about what she knows. She even used to speak for me as a child because I would let her, and became dependent on her ability to put my thoughts in to words. I believe that my art conveys the beauty of what I see in people, which may have been overlooked if I wasn’t as quiet and observant as I’ve been most of my life.

“Instead of asking so many questions, try seeing, hearing, and observing with a quiet
mind” :::Bruni Sablan:::

4. You just graduated from Washington State University with your Bachelors in Science and Nursing. Can you offer any advice for other students who may be looking for creative outlet?

I know we all have the gift of a creative outlet. It could be rock climbing. It could be knitting. It could be dancing, singing, cleaning, or running. The ability to speak to a crowd. Hunting. Our minds have two hemispheres, the right and the left. Far too often we become sucked in the left side and remain logical and disciplined. Linear in making decisions. Constantly striving to get one thing done after another to fulfill the demands of every day. But the beauty of this is that we can choose to utilize and apply the strengths of both sides of the brain to our lives, every day. If you feel that you lack a creative outlet, consider the one thing that never fails to relieve you
from reality, school, or work. Even just for a moment…and I think you’ve found it.

5. Describe yourself in 5 words.

Relentless. Honest. Free. Determined. Believer.

6. If 3 of your best friends were hanging out with you, what’s one thing they’d all jokingly make fun of you for?

Very likely, they would point out that I laugh extremely hard at the most unexpected things. Or possibly how charming (or not so charming) it is that I’m so clumsy. I fall all the time.

7. What are you passionate about? This can be work-related, personal, whatever you would like to share.

I am passionate about believing in everyone, and allowing others to see how beautiful they are. I am also passionate about being honest with myself and others in every moment, never wasting a breath on making a remark that isn’t really what I believe.

8. Is art, or the process of creating art, therapeutic for you in any way? If so, could you provide a recent example?

I believe that the act of creating anything is healing and uplifting. Many times I draw/paint something for the challenge and the thrill of how it will end up turning out. I love how unpredictable the outcome will be, and the freedom that art allows you to have in your hands. The only limit to your artistic dreams is compromising your faith in yourself. That feeling will never pale in comparison to anything.

An example of how art heals and saves me occurred a little over a year ago. I was under a tremendous amount of stress from the high academic and professional demands of nursing school, and felt that I was completely blind from anything that used to bring me happiness. The existence of peace and acceptance was something that I started to doubt. But one day, I found a replica of Henri Matisse’s “Red Room” that I had started months before. I decided to sit down, work on and potentially finish this picture. The feeling that came with accomplishing this picture was invigorating, and instilled a new confidence that I have not forgotten what I loved to do and what I loved about myself.

9. How has art influenced your perception of life?

My perception of human capability has changed the most, as well as the power of believing. Art has showed me that we are truly capable of anything. We can create our own world to be as grey, bright, textured, eclectic, simple or complex as we believe we are capable of mastering.

“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible—and achieve it, generation after generation.” :::Pearl Buck:::

10. What are some other things or people that inspire/motivate you?

Michael Jackson. My youngest sister, Nicole. Music of all genres. Adventurous people. Health and wellness. People that never shy away from who they are and live with who they are on purpose.

11. Do you believe creativity is an innate quality? Please explain.

This is something that I’ve asked myself before. I do believe that we are all born with a gift that will always be readily available to tap in to. But I do believe that the fuel behind success is time. Diligence. Energy. Passion. Honesty. Not necessarily talent. The fun thing about this is that we can prove ourselves wrong and surprise people we know with the depth of human capability.

12. What are some wise words or advice you would like to offer people reading this?

A beautiful friend recently said to me that the majority of the people in this world may not understand you or believe in you. This will never make what you do wrong or minimize what you are. You don’t need to choose between a profession and a passion, but you can take this time on earth to figure out how to merge both sides of your brain and all dynamics of yourself. We are blessed with many gifts and can choose to flourish in all or none. I hope that I can instill a little glimmer of courage in to those reading this to love everything about yourself and to run with everything you are.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” :::Dr. Seuss:::

13. You have been selected to go on an all expenses paid vacation with 3 people you’ve never met (dead or alive). Who is going on vacation with you and where?

Albert Einstein, Bruni Sablan, Michael Jackson.

SPEED ROUND – Quick questions with quick answers. Ready, go!

What is your favorite food?
Thai food.

If you could be one animal, which one would you be?
Crow.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Mind controlling.

FINAL QUESTION
Where on the world wide web can we learn more about you?
You can find me on Facebook! My art page name is Sam Hogue Please feel free to “Like”/add me.