MEET SAM GLENN
MEET SAM GLENN
Artist. Author. Keynote Speaker. Encourager.
I love art because it gives a creative way to communicate. A painting can inspire you, make you smile, or redirect your thinking in a better direction. Sometimes a picture can communicate something in a way words simply cannot.
I am a self-taught artist, and my process is messy. Paint gets everywhere. Sometimes I know exactly where a painting is going, and sometimes I have to figure it out as I go.
I actually love that part of it because life can be a lot like that.
Things do not always turn out the way we planned. We make mistakes. We change direction. We work with what is in front of us. And somewhere in the middle of the mess, with the right attitude, we can often discover meaning, a message and even a masterpiece.
That is a big part of what art means to me.
I HAVE THE WORLD'S GREATEST TIME PAINTING
I am not the world's greatest artist, but I have the world's greatest time doing art. And that is where a lot of the significance lives for me.
I love creating. I love watching something appear on a canvas that was not there a few minutes earlier. I love making a mistake and discovering that the mistake can actually become part of the painting.
Most of all, I love creating something that connects with people.
I do not need someone to look at my artwork and be impressed with me. I would rather have them look at it and discover something that means something to them.
THE MESSAGE INSIDE THE ART
Most of the artwork I create is inspired by nature because nature gives us pictures and metaphors almost everyone can understand.
A lighthouse can remind us to be a light when things get dark. An eagle can remind us to rise above what is pulling us down. A lion can remind us to have courage. A wolf can remind us that we need each other. A tree can remind us about growth, roots and making it through the storms.
I may begin a painting with one meaning in mind, but I do not want that meaning to belong only to me.
I want the person looking at the artwork to bring their own story to it.
Their experiences. Their memories. Their challenges. Their victories.
That is when art becomes personal.
That is also why I want people to walk past my art and have it remind them of something good. Maybe it reminds them to keep going. Maybe it brings back a memory. Maybe it reminds them of someone they love. Maybe it gives them a little courage on a difficult day.
To me, that is what gives art lasting value.
PAINTING WHILE I SPEAK
There are a lot of talented speed painters in the world. What I do is a little different.
My performance art is probably closer to the way Bob Ross approached painting. I paint while I talk.
During my keynote presentations, I create a painting while sharing stories, humor and a message about attitude, people, life and the things that help us keep moving forward.
At first, the audience may not know exactly what I am painting. Then little by little the picture begins to appear.
Eventually, the message I have been talking about shows up on the canvas.
That is one of my favorite parts of what I do.
The words and the artwork come together.
And now people have something they can see that helps them remember what they heard.
HOW I GOT HERE
My story did not start with art.
There was a season of my life when I was homeless and felt pretty hopeless about where my life was headed.
People came alongside me, encouraged me and helped me see that my circumstances did not have to determine my future. That changed me for the better. It shaped a new attitude and new outlook.
It eventually led me to writing books, speaking at conferences and sharing a message that has become the foundation of nearly everything I do.
Today I get to combine so many of the things I love. Creating. Sharing meaningful stories. Making people laugh. Encouraging people. And painting something that hopefully stays with them long after I am finished.
WHY I KEEP CREATING
I do not create art just to fill a wall.
I want people to walk past my art and feel something. I want it to bring a good thought back to their mind. I want it to remind them to keep going, have courage, look for the good, be a light or simply remember what matters.
If a painting can do that, then it has done what I hoped it would do.
Thanks for spending a little time looking at my work. I hope you find something here that connects with you.
Sam Glenn
EXPLORE SAM'S ART
Take a look at Sam Glenn's original artwork and art prints, or sign up to receive a free digital art print.
VIEW ORIGINAL ARTWORK SHOP ART PRINTS
INTERESTED IN HAVING SAM SPEAK AND PAINT AT YOUR EVENT?
Sam Glenn is an award winning keynote speaker and performance artist who combines live painting, storytelling, humor and a message people can take with them long after the event.
For keynote speaking, conference and live painting information, visit SamGlenn.com.