Sam is an abstract relief artist whose work explores surface, texture, and colour through distinctive grid-based paintings. After studying Graphic Design in Manchester, he began a career in Art & Design education, including teaching art at St Ives School. He is a member of the St Ives Society of Artists and the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts.

Drawing inspiration from both urban environments and the vibrant beach scenes of St Ives, Sam’s work reflects experiences shaped by time spent in the city and by the sea. His abstract relief paintings combine bold geometric forms with layered media to create richly textured surfaces. Colour plays a central role within these compositions, bringing depth, rhythm, and energy to each piece.

While rooted in the language of hard-edge abstraction, Sam’s practice retains the tactile quality of painting through visible brushstrokes and layered surfaces. Each individual square within his compositions carries its own narrative, yet together they form a visual record of his experiences, influences, and evolving artistic journey.

Artist's CV

I aim to abstract the energy of St Ives through my wooden relief paintings. The layering of media onto the surface allows me to create a range of textures. Much of my inspiration comes from the harbour. I love the layers of weathered paint and battered boats as much as the freshly painted surfaces. I use bold shapes and grid formations, but closer inspection reveals subtle texture and brush marks. I am fascinated by changing light and tide. The relief elements in my work allow shadows and highlights to change with the light. My darker works submerge my palette into the inkier depths of the sea.