Born and raised in north central Minnesota, Samantha French graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2005. French’s current body of work explores the idea of escape, the tranquility and nostalgia for the lazy summer days of her childhood. The series is inspired by Samantha’s own reflections and memories of her childhood summers spent in the lakes of Northern Minnesota. French actively exhibits her paintings and is included in many private and public collections throughout the country while her work has garnered extensive international and national press. She is a full-time painter and keeps a studio in Brooklyn, New York.
“My current body of work is focused on swimmers underwater and above. Using vague yet consuming memories from my childhood summers spent immersed in the tepid lakes of northern Minnesota, I attempt to recreate the quiet tranquility of water and nature; of days spent sinking and floating, still and peaceful. These paintings are a link to my home and continual search for the feeling of the sun on my face and warm summer days at the lake. They are my escape, a subtle reprieve from the day-to-day. At the same time, I am drawn to an idealistic time before my own, where swim caps and wool swimsuits were commonplace. This combination of memory, observation and photography has allowed me to preserve the transitory qualities of water and remembrance.”
Find her website here: SamanthaFrench.com
Love her work.
Me too…amazing
Wow. “A brief reprieve” -yes. A fantastic reprieve too.
Agree Mimi. Yes. A wow for me too…
Absolutely beautiful paintings. Refreshing. Recalling my memories as well.
Yes, Yes, Yes. Incredibly talented artist.
Love it! – The sweet expression, the artistry in capturing the vitality of the water and the moment! So surprising and awesome 🙂
Yes Val. I was inspired by her work. Wonderful.
her work is beautiful and makes you feel as if you are there –
Her work is AMAZING!
I have to ask you…where do you come up with your blog ideas? Do you search the internet or do people send you ideas or do you have a huge social network or all of the above? I ask this only because you share the most unique variety of life images and literature i’ve ever seen. I love every post. This artist is remarkable! Thank you … again … for sharing!
Awwww Claudia, thanks. I would say all of the above. I would stack them in this order: 1) I read, 2) I scour social media, 3) Susan (my wife) is the largest contributor (of pictures and articles that are funny and interesting – she has an excellent pulse on what moves me) and I’m so grateful she shares, and, 4) my friends and followers send me great content. Thanks again.
The transitory qualities of water and remembrance–yes! Love these paintings!
Yes, all that. Love that too!
At first I thought they were photos!
They ARE that good!
On Mon, Jul 7, 2014 at 8:37 PM, Live & Learn wrote:
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It looks very different when you see her standing next to it, really brings that painting alive, quite wonderful! 🙂
Yes, I loved that photo the best…