Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Nicoletti
Samantha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My creative journey takes flight at the early age of seven after enrolling in fine art classes with Mission Renaissance, learning the basics of pastel, watercolor, and oil. Refining those skills continues through high school with the addition of advanced drawing classes, acrylics, ceramics, and pottery throwing.
Professional training begins in college after accepting 1 of 13 coveted spots in the advertising department at the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, gaining extensive knowledge in both visual and digital concepts to executions, typography, art/creative direction, branding strategies, and production design, paving a niche path in art direction by blending courses in both film and advertising production while interning in the art department on the HBO show Workaholics.
Upon graduation in 2013, I worked as an Art director for music videos and short films and briefly as a prop buyer for the HBO show Westworld. After several years in the film industry, I transitioned to the advertising industry as a full-time Creative Director.
The opportunity arose in 2022 to become the first resident Louis Vuitton artist in Dallas, fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a professional fine artist. After a rigorous application process, I accepted the role and had 30 days to pack up my life in California and move to Texas. I had the honor of designing and painting personalized Louis Vuitton trunks for clients, transforming their beautiful visions into reality.
In January 2024, it was time to expand my creative endeavors and become an independent artist. I now work as a luxurious artist and designer for numerous clients and brands while pursuing the art of tattooing on the side.
Fine art had always been my main passion, but I feared pursuing it as a career would turn the outlet of painting into work, thus robbing me of the joy of simply creating. The reality of pursuing fine art as a full-time career has brought even more joy and fulfillment by sharing the beauty of expression and creative freedom with others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Anyone who has chosen a career in the arts and says otherwise would be lying. No guidebook says to do this, then this, and then you will be successful. I would describe the road as more of a rollercoaster full of constant highs and lows, struggling in many facets with financial fluctuations at the top of that list. There are times when motivation and inspiration are a free-flowing rhythm, and other times when that spark has diminished, and you find yourself sitting in front of your canvas, staring into the abyss. There have been phases where I felt stuck, lost on my path, unsure of which direction to take, and doubting my talent and inhibitions. It is easy to fall into the trap of placing unrealistic expectations on yourself from where you are on your journey and where you want to be. I overcome these struggles through prayer, continuously refocusing my mindset, incorporating daily positive affirmations, choosing to see the obstacles as a form of growth, and remembering inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a fine artist specializing in acrylic work on canvas and leather. I’m known for creating personalized designs on luxury goods: purses, handbags, wallets, trunks, and more. What sets me apart is the ability to listen and bring a client’s vision to life. Most clients have a general idea of what they want but not a specific design. I schedule consults with my clients that consist of a simple conversation around their personality type, what inspires them, what brings them joy, color palette options, the overall message they want to convey in their design, or the emotion they want to evoke. Once the consult concludes, I take all the information and begin digital mock-ups using photos of the client’s item. A follow-up consult is scheduled after concept development so clients can view the renderings and make any changes they see fit. Once the design is approved, execution of their beautiful vision begins, and the finished piece is then delivered back to the client, who receives a personalized work of art made just for them. My proud moments come from my client’s joyful smiles and gratitude-filled hearts.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
First and foremost is faith in God’s guidance on the journey and living in gratitude for the blessings and obstacles that come along with it. Approach every opportunity with a humble attitude and willingness to learn from others because there will always be someone more skilled and talented than you. It’s not how good you are but how good you want to be. Another key to success is being OK with failing, failing again, and failing harder. Art is all about trial and error, exploration, and pushing your boundaries. With most creative forms being subjective, learning to differentiate between constructive criticism and negative opinion is crucial to growth and confidence as an artist. By staying true to who you are, not creating to please the crowd, but instead creating from the heart. If my artwork can bring joy, healing, inspiration, or peace to at least one person, then that defines my success as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samanthanicoletti.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_wich/
Image Credits
Samantha Nicoletti
