How did you get into art?
Through my best friend, she is a lot more artistic than I am, and she kind of showed me different forms of art. I wanted to do the same thing but in my own style. I just want to portray my thoughts in a way that people visualize.
What artist(s) would you say has been the biggest influence on your art?
Probably Rich Chigga and Mac Demarco; they both influence my style. They’re so completely different and it helps me because I find a place in the middle that balances their two styles. Mac Demarco’s style is kind of laid back, I’d say, which reflects my personality. And Rich Chigga is such a goofy rapper. I just try to find that balance of laid back, but also goofy and humorous.
What would you say defines the perfect picture in your eyes?
That question does not have an answer. There are so many places a picture can go, depending on what emotion you are trying to portray or what picture you are trying to display or what meaning. The perfect picture is the picture you can get creative with. I guess you could say, with right framing or lighting. The model could pose a certain way. It’s really up to what image you are trying to display.
Would you say mental illness is taken more seriously in teens, rather than adults?
Yes and no, because there are different types of communities in teens that react to mental illness. While there are some people who advocate for mental illness and it’s a really important thing to touch on. But there’s another community who thinks it’s humorous, and you can see it . . . things like “Oh kill yourself,” that type of stuff so there’s definitely two communities that see it differently.
How do you incorporate this into your photography?
I try to get ideas of how people describe their mental illness and put it in a way that people can visualize it. Because I don’t think people understand it and in photography, you try to put it in a visual way so you don’t have to think it out too hard.
What programs or organizations do you wish you had when you initially started photography?
I wish I had a group of friends that had a mutual like for photography because it would be so helpful to get hints and tips. Different ideas from a group of people because sometimes the best education isn’t from professionals, but people who can review it and bounce off ideas. So any friend group of people with mutual interests.
What is your favorite work you’ve done so far?
Probably the shoot with the balloons because it has a lot of meaning. I mean all my other photography . . . a lot of it is just portraits. But the one of my friend with the balloons . . . portraying mental illness just because it has a deeper meaning.
How do you think Tacoma could benefit from the awareness of mental illness in Teens?
More education is really important because a lot of people don’t know. The reason for depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain. But a lot of people don’t understand that or when people say “Get over it.” Teens need to understand it’s not just a “Get over it,” type of thing so teens need more education on it, and need to be able to talk about it more.
“I try to get ideas of how people describe their mental illness and put it in a way that people can visualize it.”
Why is it important that we listen to teen voices in Tacoma?
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And with that, there are always new things to see in the world. New ideologies. New ways to see things. and sometimes adults don’t have that same mindset. They weren’t raised in a certain way but they can’t see things like you do. But with people in the same generation as you, they have such a different but similar experience.
How do you think teens can benefit from a network where they communicate about art, events, and etc.
Different ideas, different styles for me come around different things every day. I love to learn about art, education from word of mouth. Everyone could benefit from learning about what’s going on in other people’s heads.
How has culture made itself known in your art?
I started art really recently. I started ceramics; I’ve done painting. But it’s been a hobby type of thing, nothing to take seriously. But I’ve been held back by my family and parents. Because math and science are the only true subjects and you can’t benefit from art at all. But now that I’m a bit older, I can do whatever I want. I’ve started to invest my time in finding different ways to express myself
Do you see yourself in the future still regarding art as a hobby?
I’m very split on that. I definitely would love to go into film-making. In silent films, you can express so much emotion and feeling. I’m split on that and getting an education degree. While I teach around the world I can do photography as a side job, so I really plan on keeping art in my profession.
For more of Sam’s art check out her Instagram @sam.qall
If you want to share your passion with the Tacoma art community, email or dm us for interviews, job information, our to send us your art! Also, make sure to come to January’s F.O.A.M, an event of art where teens can come and hangout; it goes from 6-8pm at Tacoma Art Museum every third Thursday!
Teens In Tacoma 