Sam Earp was born in Guernsey, brought up in England and worked in the USA before moving to New Zealand in 2009. Sam
might not fit the perceptions of a traditional artist, his profession is as an arborist, entailing climbing and chopping
trees, his interests include his electric guitar and heavy metal music but above all he loves painting the sea in
motion. Sam says 'My ideal world is where I can just paint'.
It was the rocky Wellington coastline and its crashing waves that inspired Sam to resume painting after a break during
his time in the US.
In 2011 Sam started selling his work for the first time, at The Kiwi Art House Gallery in Cuba St.
Over the next three years he contributed to group exhibitions, while continuing to develop as an artist, extending his
subject matter from seascapes to mountains and exploring new techniques.
'Sea Surge!' is Sam's first solo exhibition. The eleven oil paintings feature his trademark roiling seas in seascapes
from Auckland's west coast beaches to Wellington and the South Island's West Coast. Sam's paintings are traditional in
style but his subtle use of sunlight to dramatise the raw energy of his seas give his work both a touch of majesty and
the spark of life. A young artist who has been selling his work for only three years, this first exhibition signals the
start of an exciting future.
At The Kiwi Art House Gallery, 288 Cuba Street.
Opening 6pm Friday 14 February until 9 March.
ENDS