Samantha James – Contemporary Artist
Born in South Wales, Sam’s childhood was spent growing up in the picturesque Monmouthshire countryside, surrounded by nature and animals.
Painting is in Sam’s blood, her father Richard Wills, who is also a successful artist, encouraged and inspired the family to explore their individual creativity. For Sam this came naturally, under the watchful eye of her father she began to express her love of nature and animals especially horses. Growing up immersed in a world of art and watching her father paint daily, Sam’s style reflects a life time of passion with a contemporary flair that takes years to master.
“My father has always been my inspiration and I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work alongside him and share in his knowledge and expertise.”
When Sam wasn’t painting, she was riding horses and helping the local farmer, often painting the animals and landscapes when they captured her imagination.
Sam attended the Welsh College of Music and Drama, earning a graduate diploma in Theatre Design, before leaving for London to work as a teacher. Here she used her creative talents to inspire children of all ages. After nearly twenty years, Sam and her husband relocated the family to Regency Cheltenham, in the heart of the Cotswolds, enjoying a more relaxed pace of life and giving Sam the freedom to paint professionally.
Life in Gloucestershire
Away from London life, Sam is able to ride horses regularly again, enjoying hacking out with her daughter as much as they can. The beautiful Gloucestershire countryside is the perfect backdrop for Sam to rekindle her childhood love of nature and animals.
It wasn’t long before Amos, her daughter’s cheeky pony was captured on canvas, combining a life-like representation using colours to convey his playful nature, creating a fabulous original piece of art.
Since then, Sam regularly receives commissions to paint all sorts of animals, domestic pet portraits, livestock and of course many horses! Her clients want paintings that encapsulate the personality and character of their much-loved pets. Sam’s passion is painting horses, creating many beautiful commissions for local horse trainers and breeders.
“I’ve never thought life should be taken that seriously and I have no intention of starting now.”
Sam’s ethos is to create Quirky, Fresh Contemporary Art allowing her clients to possess original pieces by a contemporary artist that they are proud to display. Working closely with her clients, bespoke art can be created with creativity knowing no boundaries. Sam loves to push the boundaries recently digitally altering some of her paintings, adding novelty humour for printed cards, posters and other household items.