Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Cavalier.
Hi Sam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My story starts in Fort Riley, Kansas. I was born on a military base, making me an army brat (a child of the military). I later moved to Fort Bragg when I was 1. Later in my life, I started experiencing negativity, such as bullies in school. Because that negativity had a very stressful effect on me, I decided to turn the negativity and stress into something positive. Art. I was creative when I was younger, but I never had an outlet for it. So, I decided to start drawing. It took a while to get to where I’m at now with getting closer and closer to realism, but I’m getting there, and I’m getting better! I’ve started to create commissions for those who’d like things drawn for them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely a bumpy road, but I’m attempting to turn the bad times into good times. Depression really has had a strong toll on me along the road to success. Not to mention school as well. Lots of work gets in the way of my productivity on my artwork, and it’s definitely a struggle. But it’s also teaching me a lot, such as trying to manage my time better to be able to get artwork put out more.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With my work, I primarily help my mom with her shop selling indigenous items such as necklaces, earrings, custom-made wood cutouts, and artwork to help promote it. Along with assisting the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women organization and the 7 Directions of Service. Just to inform you, the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women organization is a callout to the women who are Native and are missing and possibly murdered because of them being Native American. The 7 Directions of Service “seeks to mobilize and advocate for Indigenous and historically marginalized communities, who bear the brunt of social and environmental injustices,” from their website at 7directionsofservice.com. I do artwork to help promote these organizations!
I’m more well-known in those organizations because of my ability to create what these people vision, and some people have recently offered to buy my artwork because of it. I think what sets me apart from others would be that I am a Native American 17-year-old artist.
What are your plans for the future?
I definitely plan on going to college for sure. In 2024, I really want to go to UNCG or Salem College because I was recently accepted into those colleges! There will for sure be many big changes, and I hope to step up my game for doing art commissions, but I definitely will be getting a real job such as being a chemist, a forensic scientist, or a microbiologist. I still have some time to think about what I want to be before I start college to focus on those majors to get me into those jobs. I also definitely plan on supporting my mom in the future with her store.
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