Storytelling is central to **[Sam Onche](https://www.cohart.com/samonche)**’s work. Now based in the Chicago area, his story started in Nigeria, where he grew up in a household that valued family and art. He has fond memories of drawing with siblings and friends, developing a competitive edge that applied to sports. Basketball brought him to the U.S. and led him to Colby College. He pursued oil painting there and continues to use this medium as well as digital drawing to share stories through Black art. Onche’s vibrant oil paintings, mostly portraits, employ careful colorful abstraction. He sometimes uses Ankara fabric in the backgrounds of his portraits, a nod to his heritage and sourced from his sister’s fashion design company. Onche uses color generously and symbolically, painting his rich cultural experiences into each portrait.

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##### What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you start your journey?

I've been drawn to visual storytelling from a very young age, which made my decision to be an artist easy. From cartoons, movies, comics, video games, music and daily life, I always found inspiration, which I then used to tell my own stories. As a kid, I would make art with whatever tools I had at my disposal, from pencil drawings to inking to watercolor paintings. I was very curious, which led me to play with a wide variety of mediums. My curiosity followed me throughout my childhood up to Colby College, where I earned my Bachelors in painting. My time in college was spent learning the technical aspects of art like history, color studies and its use, and reading imagery. At the same time I was also working professionally and have continued since graduating college.

##### What is your favorite medium to work with, and why does it resonate with you?

I find that it's difficult to pick a particular medium. Each one presents a unique opportunity to create something special. When I'm sketching I usually feel free and loose, which gives me confidence to exaggerate forms. I also enjoy painting because it's a much slower process and there's an opportunity to use color which is fun. Digital media is a whole different ball game because it's so convenient to try a lot of things and work on the go for illustrations based art. I spend a lot of time figuring out how to exploit a variety of mediums. 

##### What role does research play in your artistic process? Do you have a specific method for gathering inspiration?

Research plays a big role in my artistic process. Proper research makes it easy to make paintings that transport people to a certain place or memory. I can honestly say that I tend to keep things open when I start working. My work is not about perfection, I want to create work that's unique to me, backed by research. Sometimes I'm lucky and make something special, while other times I don't. 

Inspiration gathering is honestly chaotic. I take a lot of random pictures whenever I'm outside and I have several mood boards on different platforms like Pinterest. I also keep a written and audio journal with random phrases or quotes that can spark ideas. I create unique playlists of songs I love which helps me channel my thoughts whenever I work. 

##### How has your artistic vision evolved over time, and where do you see it heading in the future?

My art keeps evolving and when I look back it's always taking a new form while staying true to who I am as a person, which is important. My earliest memories of [the] art I used to make were very comical and had a lot of motifs on the page, with little to no thought process on how viewers might perceive or understand what I was trying to say. My work was more like a personal journal and through practice, study and experience I keep learning to be intentional. The goals and direction I have for my work is to basically tell a myriad of stories and experiences in a way that's informative, beautiful, creative and unique to me. 

##### How do you stay motivated and inspired during creative blocks or challenging times?

I try to work everyday and do things that help the creative ideas flow. Whenever I have an idea I make sure to put it down almost immediately, because I believe it's a start to something that could be cool. I am also open to making mistakes, which I find gives me confidence to experiment without worrying about how people might perceive my work. I also find that surrounding yourself with encouraging people that could be a loved one, family, friends or fellow colleague is important whenever there’s challenging times. 

##### How do you balance commercial aspects of being an artist with your creative vision?

My sole purpose of being an artist is not to make money from work but I realize that money is important in taking care of day-to-day activities like sudden emergencies, art supplies, education and nice vacations. That being said, the commercial aspect of being an artist is important and should be taken seriously. I’ve made big financial mistakes in my career, and I now have a 70:30 approach which helps me balance the commercial and the creative side of things.

It's important to have an agent that helps negotiate and represent you as an artist. It’s also essential to do business with companies that aren't just out to make profits off the work that you do—asking for crazy percentages claiming to help you get noticed or recognised. Know your worth as an artist and don't sell yourself short, because your gift is a blessing and people who recognize that will support you.

##### Does technology play a role in your art-making process?

Technology plays a role in my work but I am not particularly in support of using Ai to create work. The kind of artist I want to be is one that uses tools to help the creative process flow and not one that relies on these tools to make the work for me. For instance, I use Procreate and my iPad to create illustrations and digital-based work when necessary. 

##### Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you're particularly excited about?

I’ve been busy with a bunch of projects that have been completed and others that I am still working on. I just had a solo exhibition titled “_[Homecoming](https://laarts.org/programs/sam-onche-homecoming/)_” in Maine which runs for the rest of the year. I've also been in a couple group exhibits alongside amazing artists around the US. I've had the opportunity to work on a couple covers for novels by publishers like HarperCollins, Macmillan and Allen & Unwin and magazines. I am currently working on my second children's book, and set to have another solo show in 2026. 

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##### How do you approach the concept of success or failure in your art practice?

In my own experience, I believe that one needs to experience a degree of failure to grow and become successful. Everyday, I keep learning to accept my failures and capitalize on them. One failed painting, drawing, illustration or project is an opportunity to grow, and even a chance to try something else not expected or once neglected. Failure is painful but should be looked at as a part of the creative process. At the same time, success should be celebrated because it can be hard to come across. 

##### What advice would you give to emerging artists or other artist peers trying to find their voice in the art world?

I would advise artists not to lose their identity and aspects of their work that's unique to who they are, but rather improve on those areas and refine them because ultimately you don't want to be perceived as someone else. 

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Sam Onche's art is inspired by storytelling, diverse mediums, and constant evolution, blending creativity, research, and personal experience.

Spotlight: Sam Onche’s Artistic Exploration of Identity and Symbolic Color

Spotlight: Sam Onche’s Artistic Exploration of Identity and Symbolic Color

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