With a BA and MA in Illustration Sam's process always begins outdoors. She initially works in sketchbooks, repeatedly visiting a location until she becomes familiar with that unique area. Once she has enough information she returns with large scale paper and works spontaneously in inks and pastel to capture the movement and energy of that day. Her marks are inspired by wind, shapes of flora and fauna and the general geographic layout of the landscape.
Back in the studio she continues to work on these paintings adding finer details in pastel which add contrast and depth to the final piece.
There is a physicality to her work, as each mark she creates aims to express her response to the energy of a particular place. She pours, drips and splashes the ink across the paper whilst controlling the flow by gently manoeuvring the large sheets.
Observational drawing is at the heart of her creative practice.