Bright colors, rotten smiles, and mischievous titles in bold block letters jump off the canvas, but it’s the hidden details and intensely personal small-print journals that sink their hooks in.
Sam North’s chaotic, disciplined neo-expressionist narratives are not the product of a traditional arts education. A graduate of Georgetown Law, he began painting as part of an inpatient treatment plan. The result is work that’s unrestrained, deliberate, and vital — for both artist and audience.
North’s primary influence is the art he loves: a very specific (and unpopular) subset of punk rock that’s catchy and sonically upbeat but with grit, spit, and lyrics that are bleak yet desperately hopeful.
“This is my punk rock,” he says of his art. The paintings are his songs, played with electric colors, sharp contrasts, and meticulous linework. The diaristic entries scattered around each canvas are his lyrics.
Over layers of heavy-body acrylics and mediums, applied to deep museum-grade canvas by brush, palette knife, and hand, North articulates each piece with pigment ink before finishing with a high-gloss archival sealant.
Beneath its snark, North’s nationally exhibited work reflects an earnest thesis: “The world can be cold and mean, but not cold or mean enough to stop me.”
Selected press and media:
The Wake
“While displays fill the gallery, the hectic work of artist [Sam North] steals the show.”
Minnesota Public Radio
“Sporting a shock of blond hair and an impish grin, [North] has a presence that verges on performance art… His paintings are brash and colorful, mixed with small-print streams of consciousness and topped with a larger, more snarky or witty comment to grab the eye.”
Folio
“He gives so much of himself, both through his art and the short biographical stories he includes with each piece — which is exactly why it’s selling.”
Visit the gallery to see for yourself.
Awesome! Keep fightin the good fight man. Got your sticker
@ artwalk. Jax Fl
Heard about this site on IG. A friend from Jacksonville posted a link.
you should send your work to the OK HARRIS gallery in the village (NYC) . Steven Corsano has a show there now, your work is similar…and very touching…
lori
Hi Sammy! I met you in front SunRay Cinemas in Jax and purchased a piece for a friend. Any chance SunRay may air your film in Jax? Do let me know if it happens. Your spirit is delightful… I’m still feeling the love I felt just walking up to your table and seeing all that beautiful, evocative, outrageous bunch of you! Nanette
Saw you at One Spark, never loose that smile and passion to paint! Awesome pieces.
I meet you walking out of Burrito Gallery 4/11/14 during onespark in JAX, when you asked if I’d like a piece of paper… I initially said no I’m good, until you insisted “it’s a really awesome piece of paper” (your story and website info). Awesome story man and keep up the great art work! Thanks for telling me it was an awesome piece of paper, cause I wouldn’t have taken otherwise.
Good for you 🙂 i, love ur art work
I wanna buy a few originals..how much money we talking? Get back to me please.Enjoy.
Give me a call at […].
Hey man I met you yesterday and you’re so cool! Awesome art work!
Hi Sammy, met you on Michigan Ave in Chicago my daughter and walked up to your table, her and I both love your work. Keep in flight!
My best friend and I love you!!!!!!!!!
sending you some love from jacksonville, fl <3 I have one of your pieces up in my room & thought it would be cool to hit you up. we'd love to see you come back around here whenever you get the chance! I love your art (…and you) & I want some more of it (: thx
I’ve never been so inspired. Thank you
Sam is a sleeping giant. With a little clarity he’ll conquer world. It may not be formal, and a little off the beaten path, but I have faith, he’s going to find a zone, and become a rocket ship.
Hi Sam, I met you while you were painting on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. Very cool to talk to you and see you painting. Also, I loved the letter you posted on local businesses to introduce yourself. Stay Strong!
Hi Sam, You are a great role model of how to take control of your life rather than life controlling you. Keep it up!
Hey Sammy, meet you outside “Instinct” on an unusually hot April 30th in Minneapolis. You were out on the sidewalk painting and had no shirt on … may I just say … your girlfriend is a VERY lucky woman!!!
You and your art are very inspiring, and even though I can’t afford to buy a piece or two right now, I now have your site and will invest in your future at a later time.
Best of luck sexy Sammy!
Jeff
Great story great art see you in Seattle!
Very powerful and positive work. Love the story. The artwork looks fun and whimsical.
I met you on Broadway in NYC about a week ago. I took some photos (which I’d love to share with you but don’t know how). I told you I’d post you on my tumblr site …
Hi, Yvette! If you click on the “Contact” link at the top of the page, there’s you can upload the photos right there. Thanks!
You’re my favorite artist.
Damn dude. Hate to hear about your earlier troubles. I saw you play with EDFR here in Memphis back in 2004 or 5. I traded a zine for one of your demos. Always remembered those songs, I’m sure I could recite a few back to you. Glad your doing well now, I hope. I’ve had plenty of those old struggles myself.
He had awesome pants.
i just found one of your art works “im excited please dont forget please dont slip” at a local thrift store and i had to buy it. its amazing
That’s awesome!
Just outta curiosity, what city did you find it in? Also, I don’t know if you’re referring to a print or the original but (either way) if it didn’t come with the usual info sheet that I include and you want to look up the story behind the piece, you can find it in the blog entry dedicated to that piece (the actual title is “No Accident”).
Thanks so much for writing!