Photo of Carl Samson by Helen Adams.
We are honored to have Milford area artist, Carl Samson, as this year’s Judge for Art Affaire. Each year, we carefully select a judge who not only has significant expertise and recognition in the art world but also a deep connection to our community.
Our selection process involves considering artists who have made notable contributions to the arts, have a strong professional background, and share our passion for fostering creativity and artistic expression. We believe that Carl J. Samson’s impressive body of work and his commitment to the arts make him an exemplary choice for this role.
Internationally recognized for his exquisite portraits and exceptional art, American artist Carl J. Samson is proficient in all painting genres: portraiture, figurative, still life, and landscape. Classically trained in the US and abroad, Carl believes strongly in the importance of mastering all facets of painting that bring a rare and distinctive sensibility to the art of painting. In 2022 he was a recipient of the MacDowell Society Medal for his contribution to the arts.
We reached out to him to find out more about his background, his prize-winning career as a portrait, figurative and landscape artist, and what qualities he looks for in a piece of art:
– Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became interested in art?
My parents were French Canadian, and I was born shortly after they immigrated to northern Ohio. They were both very artistic, in their way, and loved beauty. So I grew up in an environment where art, and music, was valued. I’m a northern Ohio boy, through and through, but have enjoyed pursuing the best training I could find in various places – Boston, Minneapolis, Washington DC, and all over Europe. I’ve called Milford home since 1989.
– Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in your artistic journey?
From age 14-24, among living artists, I had three main mentors, painters Allan Banks (b.1948), R.H. Ives Gammell (1893-1981) and Richard Lack (1928-2009). Those were immensely formative years I spent under their instruction. In art history, I have been inspired by the work of Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, John Sargent, Mary Cassatt, Carl Larsson, Willard Metcalf among many others – a seemingly endless cast of notable artists. Really, my favorites fluctuate, depending on the day of the week.
– What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your artistic journey?
Striking a proper balance between doing those works required to make a living, and those that allow for personal expression and artistic growth.
– What do you find most rewarding about portrait art?
Typically, those portrait clients with whom I have worked are leaders in their respective fields. Thus, I have the honor of spending time with very accomplished individuals, many of whom share their perspectives and life experience.
– How do you believe art impacts the viewer?
There are many different and quite personal responses to visual art. In the case of representational art, a powerful and highly sensitive observational skill – focused on the essential and the poetic – results in paintings that ideally transport the viewer out of day to day concerns. Perhaps they are thus introduced to aspects of the visible world they have ceased to notice or never had fully appreciated.
– Have you had any particularly memorable experiences or reactions from people who have seen your work?
It is always most appreciated when I encounter genuine art lovers and collectors that get what it is that you’re after as a painter, and get great satisfaction from seeing your work.
– Are there any current or future projects you’re working on that you’re particularly excited about?
I have several portrait commissions on the horizon that will require a bit of travel. When those are completed, I look forward to figurative and landscape painting which is always waiting in the wings. A new, purpose-built studio with a large, north-facing skylight await the next phase of my career.
– How do you stay motivated and continue to grow as an artist?
This is not always an easy task these days. I’ve long since discovered the value of trying to keep an open mind, staying curious, and keeping up with new and fascinating developments in science. These can then act as catalysts for further creative exploration.
– How do you balance the business side of being an artist with the creative side?
It’s a fairly constant challenge. Inevitable lulls in business offer the best opportunity to reconnect with the fun stuff and more experimental impulses.
– What excites you most about being a judge for Art Affaire this year?
Milford is a charming, very vibrant, creative community. There is sure to be abundant evidence of this at Art Affaire!
– What qualities do you look for in a piece of art?
Beyond what I may, (or may not) be personally attracted to, the big question is “how successfully did he or she achieve their objective in the creation of a given piece?.”
– What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
Seek the best training you can find, be disciplined, and learn your craft.
– Can you share any tips or advice for artists who are submitting their work to a juried art show?
Always try to hold back some of your very best work over time, so that when opportunities arise to exhibit, you’ll be confident of what you have entered. Strive to make the best, most professional presentation possible.
You can follow Carl on Instagram @carljsamson. To see his work, head to https://www.carlsamson.com.