Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Joseph.
Sam, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been an artist and a sewer my whole life, but those two things never merged in my brain until 2016, when I got to a point where it was clear that I needed a long break from showing or trying to show my art in galleries. I was starting to feel like I was making work for the wrong reasons, so I just needed to hibernate for a while. I wasn’t going to just stop making work though. Art is something that lives inside of you, but maybe it’s not happy about it. So, it screams at you every day to make things, and it probably keeps screaming until you die. So, I came up with quilting was a way for me to keep making and putting work out there during fine art hibernation. It felt right, and now I’ll probably be a quilter for life.
I started doing craft fairs right away as a way to network and try to make some money. All the makers I’ve met have been so nice and supportive, and I had some good responses to the work I brought out. I made pillows and little bags to sell because I figured people wouldn’t be ready to drop money on full quilts from a mystery person with a fish for a brand name.
The small products have done a good job of supporting the business, so I can keep making quilts, which are what it’s really all about for me. I only recently came up with the idea to upgrade people’s jackets with quilted panels, and that seems to be sort of a hit. I really like doing it too, because each one is completely different, and I can explore more patterns with them.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been alright. The worst of it is all inside my mind. I go through cycles of thinking my work isn’t good enough, and I’ll never be able to fully support myself blah blah blah. It’s not good, but I think its part of the artistic process. It’s how you keep the fire going, and push yourself to make better work. Also, I’m getting better at seeing the pattern and talking myself through those periods.
Rainbow Trout – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I make quilts and other quilted textiles for the home and to wear. I’m probably most known for the jacket upgrades and the pillows. As a newish maker, it’s hard to get people to spend a lot of money on your work, so the smaller items like these sell the best.
I’m most proud of how much my color palettes have changed and improved. I’ve always been interested in color, and how it changes in different settings, but only when I started quilting, did color really click for me. I think it’s because you can’t mix two colors of fabric like you can with paint. So, it was a new challenge that unexpectedly widened my horizons, as challenges often do. I think my color choices are what set me apart from the vast majority of quilting that I see.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Oh man. Success… if I woke up every day and felt secure in my choices, and I was happy and comfortable, and I felt love, and I could eat food that felt good in my stomach, I would consider myself to be successful. I feel like that every once in a while, but I think when I get there more often, I’ll know I’ve made it.
Money definitely doesn’t define success, but I think if I find that kind of success, the money will follow.
Pricing:
- Pillows – $55 – $65
- Jacket/Hoodie/Shirt Panels – $90 – $120
Contact Info:
- Website: rnbwtrout.com
- Email: samgitsjoseph@gmail.com
- Instagram: @rnbwtrout
Image Credit:
Travis Schiro
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