JL: As an American living in London, I am fascinated by English vernacular, so I have a slightly weird English question. What does 'twee' mean?
Sammy: Haha, 'twee' is a hard word to explain, I guess. Quaint, cute, wholesome.
JL: Would you say your art style is twee?
Sammy: Yes, it's twee, but honestly, it's not a word I hear a lot.
JL: Do you have a routine when it comes to art-making? Can you describe your process?
Sammy: It takes me an average of about 30 hours but can be up to 50 hours, depending on how detailed it is. I like to make a sketch first, but I make it mostly on one layer. I used to do a lot of colouring pencil artwork, so I draw on Procreate as I would colour on paper.
JL: 50 hours is quite the commitment. Do you have dedicated studio time? Or do you squeeze in an hour here and 30 minutes there?
Sammy: I have to work when I can as I sometimes have my two children around while I am working. That's why using a tablet is such a lifesaver. I also draw in the evening when I am watching TV with my other half.
JL: We were both included in Exhibition Night Vol. 1 virtual exhibition, and I read in your Exhibition Night bio that your degree is in animation and 3d design. I find that very interesting since most of your art on Foundation and your socials is 2d and still. Will we see 3d designs of your characters in the future?
Sammy: I enjoyed taking 3D as a major in my national diploma, but it's not something I progressed further as I just didn't enjoy it as much. I am a 2d girl. I love all the old traditional animation and anime films, and I love looking at people's hand-drawn art that came to life so much more than 3D.
JL: Your characters on Foundation have names, August the Furling, Sebastian, The Great Elduin. Do they have storylines? Will we see them reoccur in future works?
Sammy: They are characters that occupy my head, and I like to give them personalities, I think their future will be developed through new artworks, and perhaps one day I will think of a proper story for them. They will definitely reoccur and get up to new adventures.
JL: Have you ever Illustrated any books?
Sammy: I have illustrated three covers for The Trebor Tales, and I did all the illustrations for The Shaded Forest Chronicles.
JL: Do you like doing commissions?
Sammy: It entirely depends on what it is. I loved doing the children's book I illustrated, but there have been times I have been bored of what I was doing.
JL: Do you have a favourite storybook from childhood?
Sammy: My favourite book as a child was George Mouse's Caravan.
JL: Who are some of your favourite artists?
Sammy: My favourite artists are Don Bluth and Brian Froud.
JL: Did you always think you would be an artist?
Sammy: Honestly, it's been a completely natural progression since I was a tiny child. I went straight from high school at 16 (you finish at 16 in the UK) to college, where I studied art. Then after college, I went straight into freelancing. It was something I have always done, and there was never any other path I was going to take.
JL: I read somewhere you took a break from art for a few years. Did the break affect your style at all?
Sammy: I actually think the break improved my art, I came back from having my son, and I went into traditional artwork for a bit (soft pastels, watercolour) and my style developed during that time. Then last August, I got myself an iPad, and it was a game-changer. I went back to digital again and haven't looked back. Procreate can emulate my traditional style perfectly.
JL: Have you had much success selling your physical art?
Sammy: I never had any success selling traditional art. But I didn't really give it much effort as I was looking after babies.
JL: How are you finding NFTland?
Sammy: I keep switching from "Wow, I think I am doing well" to "this is hard, it's been a week, should I be selling more?" I am still very new to this and I am not sure if I am doing well or not. I have sold three pieces on Foundation and about 30 pieces on HEN so far. I think. That's good for a months work, right? I think not knowing if anything will sell next month is quite scary. If I keep selling and growing, that will make me more confident. I'm trying to focus more on creating new beautiful art that people will want to collect and that I enjoy creating. NFT can be a bit of a monkey on your back if you get it to consume your artistic process. I certainly don’t want to be creating art solely for the purpose of selling. If it sells that’s amazing, but I don’t want to create art only for the sale. It has to because I am enjoying it too.
JL: The viewer will know if your heart is not in it. What do you think of HEN?
Sammy: I love the idea of HEN. The low pricing means anyone can collect NFTS; I have collected a few myself. Most are from artists who have helped me or supported me somehow and from artists I really love, so I am excited to be able to own something of theirs!
JL: Did you know any of your collectors before they bought from you?
Sammy: All three of my foundation collectors are complete strangers, which is so wonderful! I can't thank them enough. I am so very grateful. Their bids have sent me on a path that I never dreamt I was going to go down. I think if I hadn't have sold anything in my first month, I would not have worked so hard, and maybe I would have given up. HEN is a little different. What's been great about HEN is those fellow NFT artists, who may not have much to spend on my more extensive projects, can still own some of my art, which is what has happened. I have friends supporting me as well as new collectors.
JL: What do you enjoy doing besides art? Are you musical?
Sammy: I'm not musical at all! My husband can sing and play the guitar, though. I love nature and animals. I enjoy being outside, especially in the woods or a pine forest. I will walk for miles and miles. I find it really relaxing.
Besides that, I am a lowkey nerd. I LOVE fantasy and sci-fi, so I watch a lot of series and movies. I am also very crafty, and I've dabbled in all sorts of things, sculpting, crocheting, plush making, sewing, needle felting.
JL: That all sounds very wholesome as well. So, what does ‘edgy’ look like for Sammy Lewis?
Sammy: I don’t think I have ever been edgy. 🤣
For all things Sammy Lewis, see her Linktree below.
