Written by Hello everyone! I’m Sam Orpiada. I’m a 16 year old girl from a small town called Ajax in Canada and I do art.
I come from a Filipino household and I live with my mom, dad, sister Pauleen, my two beautiful grandmothers, and my aunt and uncle. I started doing art at a young age and ever since I could remember, I’ve always enjoyed drawing and colouring. Although, I always enjoyed it, I never really took it seriously.
I would doodle and such, but I never really tried to do things that improved my artistic ability or do things that artistically challenged me. In grade 10, that all changed… I was introduced to my 2 art teachers, Ms. Langzik and Mr. Najera but most importantly I was introduced to my first love – gouache.
Funny story is that I got my first gouache set in grade 9 for an art project and the lady in the art store told me that it was watercolour. In my grade 9 year we didn’t end up using it in my art class so it stayed in my closet for about a year until grade 10 came along. There, I realized that it wasn’t actually watercolour, but nonetheless I fell in love with the medium… I guess that story wasn’t really that funny but it’s significant to me because, if it weren’t for that little pack of gouache paint (that I thought was watercolour) I wouldn’t have discovered my love for painting.
My two art teachers, as well as my art class and my friends are also extremely supportive and they are part of why I keep doing art. My best friend at the time, Kate, actually gave me my first watercolour paint set for my birthday. Now, my paintings consist of mainly watercolour, gouache and ink. I use the uni-ball vision micro waterproof pen as well as India ink and I use Daler Rowney watercolours, and superior pigments for beginners gouache.
Events that happen in my life, as well as photographs I see online are what inspire me. Most of my reference images are ones that I took myself, and others are photographs I see online. My favourite thing to paint is people. I’ve always been intrigued by people and how they look and the human form, that I’ve just gravitated towards painting them. I usually start off by doing a quick outline of what I will be painting in pencil, then I’ll paint over it using watercolour/gouache then I’ll go over it with ink to put in the details and such.
Painting and art in general is and will continue to be a huge and important part of my life and I will continue to paint and do art until I’m old, saggy and wrinkly. Thank you again to Charlie for giving me this opportunity to be featured on his wonderful blog! I feel so blessed and humbled to be a featured artist and I hope you guys enjoy some of my art!
Sam Orpiada
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Your illustrations are wonderful. I love your bold use of colour. I am impressed that you already have a strong style emerging at such a young age.
I agree, Laura! Definitely a strong style already. So glad you enjoyed Sam’s work! 😃
Very impressive! How wonderful that you’ve discovered your talent and have so many supportive people around you. I like your style. It captures people in unique ways.
So pleased you liked Sam’s feature! Thanks! 😃
Charlie, thank you for sharing this upbeat artist with me. Such great fresh and interesting work.
So please you liked her work! Yay! 😃
I’ve got gouache it never comes out that bright. I love the turquoise face. Awesome paintings!
Aren’t they awesome?! Glad you liked these too, Catherine! 😃
Hi Sam – I love your easy going style and subject matter. It looks like you have lots of fun. Thanks for sharing. Thank you Charlie.
Thanks Sharon!! So glad you enjoyed Sam’s work! 😃
Your style is wonderfully expressive. By the time you are “old, saggy and wrinkly” you will be a celebrated artist!
Now there’s something to look forward too! Lol So glad you liked Sam’s work, Judy! 😃
Sam, your art is expressive and joyful. How wonderful that you’ve pursued your art muse since you were very young. I love how you capture people. Just delightful.
I so agree! Glad ya liked these Sharon! 😃
My favorite is the green and magenta portrait. Wonderful expressive lines! (K)
Hehe…I was hoping you’d see that one, Kerfe! I thought of you when I posted it! Happy you like Sam’s work! 😃
THATS MY BESTFRIEND YALL
Hehe…you’re pretty lucky then! Sam’s a fabulous artist! 😃
So much talent!! Thanks for sharing Sam’s art Charlie!
Thank you Susan! Glad you liked her work! 😃
You are very talented! I love your illustrations of people. You are so good at them. People are a weakness of mine. I also use a uniball pen. So nice to meet you.
Well said, Eileen! I soooo agree! Glad you enjoyed Sam’s paintings! 😃
Sam your artwork is wonderful and so expressive. I love that you found art at such a young age and you have experienced so much already.
So pleased you liked Sam’s feature, Cathe! Thanks! 😃
I love the first portrait of the smiling girl and love your style Sam!
Isn’t it cool? Glad ya liked these too, KD! 😃
Wonderful work!