Eye Gallery: Purdy mixes her passions
| Thursday, Sep 09 2010 11:38 AM
Last Updated Thursday, Sep 09 2010 11:38 AM
Images
Eye Gallery artist Samantha Purdy with a sample of one of her works. The piece is untitled.
Samantha Owens Purdy’s “New Life,” oil on skateboard decks, is one of 14 original pieces of art in The Californian’s Eye Gallery 2010 art series.
A Samantha Purdy work titled "Your Beer, Sir."
It's hard to think of two pastimes more different than painting and skateboarding, but Samantha Owens Purdy -- who enjoys both -- has found a way to combine those pursuits.
She paints on discarded skateboard decks (for the skateboard illiterate, that's the part you stand on).
"I have been skateboarding for about 12 years and, in 2007, I decided to begin to paint on used and sometimes broken skateboard decks that have been thrown aside. I find it so interesting that these decks have a history behind each one and now they can have a new life as a piece of art," Purdy, 32, said via e-mail.
But the artist managed to blend another of her passions into the mix -- her top priority, in fact -- when she agreed to participate in Eye Gallery 2010, The Californian's annual series that introduces local artists to our readers. Her delightful, whimsical painting -- a triptych of sorts that spreads over three connected decks -- is a representation of her family: 2-year-old son, Benjamin; "wonderful" husband, Matt; and the baby boy she's carrying, due Feb. 14.
"As I (the mama bird) gaze at my son (baby bird) lovingly while nurturing and waiting for the new 'egg' to hatch, my husband (the yellow bird) sits and adores his entire family, taking in all the new changes that have happened and will happen in our life as a couple. The tree is also blooming new leaves, representing its new life," Purdy said.
Busy with commissions and private teaching lessons, the Texas native hasn't exhibited her work publicly for quite some time, but in the past she has shown at Todd Madigan Gallery, Maestri Gallery and Dagny's Coffee Co., among other venues. More of our chat with Purdy:
How long have you been an artist?
I have been painting and sculpting since I was 5. My mom, Rebecca Owens, is an artist so my sister and I we were always around art. But, I did not get serious until high school and on into college. I graduated with my BA in fine arts and also have my secondary teaching credential in fine art, both from CSUB.
Do you have a favorite artist?
That is a hard one to pinpoint, but I can say I have always admired Van Gogh's brilliant use of color and texture.
Explain the feeling you get from creating art:
I am constantly amazed at where my life has been and has come and through it all I am so excited that I have been able to experience the feeling of freedom I get while painting. I encourage everyone to never take for granted or suppress your ability to create (whatever form it may be), it is something we are freely given and it is extremely life giving.
