High Artist Spotlight: Sam Charboneau
Sam Charboneau builds sculptures from clay, finishes them with fluffy yarn, and then photographs them into a whole new world. She creates and shares her art hoping to connect, inspire and speak right to peoples imagination.
Her wild imagination earned her a place among the top 40 artists of High Art 2017 with “Franz, An Imitation”, only one of many creative pieces she entered this year. Read more about Sam below in an exclusive interview!
How did you find out about High Art?
Juxtapose Magazine
What made you want to submit an entry?
This looked like a very fun contest. I think it’s a wonderful idea to crowd source for your marketing materials.
What was your inspiration and/or process for the piece you submitted?
My piece is actually a photograph, although it was accepted as a print. I pulled my inspiration from an Australian painter, Franz Sedlacek. He was apart of the second world war and was going a little crazy. He started painting him self floating over these surreal landscapes as a way to deal with his stress. I built the mountains from cardboard and spray paint. I found a nice jacket from the local Goodwill and with the power of perspective, I photographed and composited all the pieces together.
What has been your personal experience with cannabis?
As a teenager I tried smoking cannabis with my friends like all small town kids do. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties and dealing with a bit of insomnia that my husband, boy friend at the time, suggested I tried smoking to let my mind relax. Worked like a charm. I had been going a little crazy myself with wanting to sleep but not possessing the skills to do so. Cannabis allowed me to relax and let Mr. Sandman do his thing. I am forever grateful.
How has it enhanced your art or creative process?
When it comes to ideas time, cannabis is the master key. If I am looking to sort out my thoughts or I am stuck or about to start work on a new project, I take a few puffs and jump in the shower. With a Rite in the Rain notebook in hand and my mind free to wander, that’s when the magic starts happening. I never know what I am going to come up with when I start but I am rarely disappointed.
What are your favorite strains or cannabis products?
I went to Colorado a few months ago and got schooled by a very helpful man behind the medical marijuana counter. He showed me depending where I “felt” the smell on my face, told me what kind of high I was going to have. After sniffing more weed than I knew what to do with, I learned I liked the mid ranges. Not too much in either direction. Relaxing and uplifting but never crossing the line. I also had some fun with the gummy edibles 😉