Diving into the dark sea: Sam Mathers' captivating artistry

07 Jun 2023

Sam Mathers work is heavily layered, textured, weatherbeaten and extremely remarkable, giving his art an organic rough look, and the onlooker a sense of wonder. Where you may see paint drips, scratches or mistakes, don’t be fooled into thinking these aren’t intentional. Using an array of Resene paints, Sam brings his ideas to life on the canvas, and he has a lot of them.

“I always dreamed of being an artist since I was a young child,” Sam says. “I never really stopped thinking about it, even though I never became a full-time artist until I was 25 years old.

“I just believed in myself and never let people discourage me, as that’s what I had to deal with my whole life - as an artist was not a real job in most people’s eyes at that time.”

Artist Sam Mathers in his workshop, showcasing his captivating pieces finished in an array of Resene paint colours.

Sam doesn’t get his inspiration from any particular place, but more from life in general. “My mind is full of crazy ideas 24/7, it doesn't turn off, even though I would like it to at times,” he says. “Inspiration could come from a simple thing like the afternoon sun on your face, or feeling happy. A simple thing like that can spark a whole series of works.”

Sam’s piece, called ‘Dark Sea’ is painted in Resene Float, Resene Perfume, Resene Dancing Girl, Resene Bright Red, Resene Havoc, Resene Glorious, Resene Rose, Resene Black, Resene White, Resene Riptide, Resene Bloom and Resene Big Bang.

The process of Sam’s art usually starts with a board or canvas which he then paints with thick coats of gesso. Next he waters down paint in Resene Black and lets it run down the board to dry by itself, sometimes using a hair dryer to create different patterns. Sam then starts to layer his work up with different Resene paint colours. “Basically this process could take weeks,” he says. “I like to sand back sections to bring back the earlier layers through to the surface and paint over parts I don't like.

“My work is fun. Some of my work is minimal with only two colours where other work has 100 different colours used.”

Sam’s piece, called ‘Psychedelics On Holiday’, is painted with a wide range of Resene paint colours including Resene Float, Resene Perfume, Resene Havoc, Resene Glorious, Resene Rose, Resene Riptide, Resene Bloom and Resene Big Bang.

“I originally decided to use Resene products because the Resene ColorShop was next door to where I studied and it was more affordable as a student at the time, also there were coupons in the food shop with discounted Resene testpot coupons. Now I can afford any paint but I still choose Resene as there are so many good colours and the constancy of the paint is perfect for my style of art. Also If I painted a picture 10 years ago and someone asks for a commission using the same colours, it’s so easy for me to find the exact colours.”

We asked Sam about his favourite colours, and this can often be a hard choice for artists who are around colour all day. “It used to be Resene Charlotte and Resene Zeal,” Sam says. “Then it was Resene Hot Toddy, and now it’s Resene Juniper - a colour I used in my favourite painting. It was a risky colour back then but people loved it. I also find Resene Float a colour you can pretty much paint on one layer and it has its full brightness and density.”

Sam’s favourite piece, called ‘Marine Traffic’, is painted in Resene Juniper, Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Alabaster, Resene White, Resene Black, Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Deep Koamaru, Resene Wow, Resene Cornflower,Resene Sakura, Resene Grey Chateau and Resene Boston Blue.

As for favourite pieces, Sam’s current is his ‘Marine Traffic’ piece, which he loves for its large scale, colours, abstract composition and organic markings.

"My style is rendered with simplicity, a naïve energy and frankness". - A quote from Black Door Gallery.

See more of Sam’s designs: www.sammathers.com    

Published: 07 Jun 2023