Artist Statement
Working primarily with oil paint, charcoal and oil pastels, my approach to painting focuses on the process, and the experience of mark making. Whether I am scrapping, smearing, or applying broad strokes, each is done with intention and purpose. I spend just as much time reflecting on my strokes as I do make them. Stepping back and looking at the piece allows me to see the painting in its entirety and offers new perspectives letting me produce solutions to problems that may arise within the painting. I paint marks, then scrap away areas, painting over those marks, until I am satisfied with the results, and I get a sense of resolve. Using my intuition as a guide allows me to break free from predetermined ideas and discover new solutions in the act of mark-making and exploration of paint. Each painting becomes a vessel for the multitude of emotions and experiences that I am a part of. This creates a relationship between my own experiences and my work, allowing the viewer to gain a better understanding of who I am.
Bio
Samuel Sugar (b. 1995 Bloomington, IN) is an abstract oil painter and designer currently living in Greenville, NC. Sam is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from East Carolina University. Sam has exhibited paintings across North Carolina and plans to continue showing his work throughout the southeast.
Sam creates artwork that relates to his own experiences and his world view. His paintings are always open to interpretation, allowing the viewer to have a unique perspective of the work.
In addition to his artistic practice, Sam is an educator, and he currently teaches a painting and drawing class at Emerge Art Gallery in Greenville.
When Sam is not painting or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family. His wife Savannah, his daughter Maggie, and their two pets, Cane (dog) Zeke (cat)