 Grateful to continue building meaningful connections and empowering our community through collaborative workshops.
Thank you https://ogdencontemporaryarts.org/ for making it all possible!  In 2008, after a decade of barely creating anything, I hit a low point. My marriage ended, I was stuck in an unfulfilling job at a law firm, and I was neglecting my health—smoking, over-exercising, starving myself, battling depression and anxiety.
 Grounded Grace is a mixed media sculpture that embodies my journey of spiritual connection and earthly grounding. By layering local newspaper, iron-rich Utah dirt, forged sawdust from hikes near my home, salt from the Great Salt Lake, and gold metallic pigment, I strive to create a tangible link between the sacred and the everyday.
The gold pigment, inspired by the halos in Byzantine saints, symbolizes enlightenment, divine presence, and communion with God. This piece reflects my belief that grace and spirituality are rooted in both the divine and the mundane, weaving together Utah’s natural landscape with a universal longing for transcendence. It’s a meditation on the sacredness of the ordinary, inviting viewers to contemplate their own connection to the divine through the textures, materials, and symbolism embedded within the work. Grounded Grace, mixed media on canvas, 48” x 30”  M A T E R I A L I T Y
More and more, my work gravitates toward the sculptural. In a world increasingly dominated by flat screens and digital surfaces, I yearn to see and feel true dimensionality—peaks, valleys, ruptures, and varied textures within my surfaces. Perhaps this desire is also a response to the pervasive presence of AI in our lives. Images that can be effortlessly altered, manipulated, and distorted at the click of a button. I long to create something that, for now, cannot be so easily fabricated—something rooted in tangible form and texture. Some might say this approach is a step backward, a nostalgic retreat from the flow of progress—returning to the painstaking, hands-on methods of the past, crafted in close proximity to nature, with patience and intention. And maybe they’re right. But for me, it’s about reclaiming a sense of authenticity and depth in a digital age that often feels fleeting and superficial. 'The Sacred Ladder to the Infinite', Mixed Media, 24" x 18"  When it comes to enhancing your artwork with texture and depth, choosing the right medium is essential. Two popular options—Gel Medium and Modeling Paste (aka Molding Paste)—offer distinct qualities and versatile applications. Here’s a concise comparison to help you understand their differences and best uses.
 B L U E P A I N T I N G S
Diving into themes of depth, introspection, and the infinite, these works use varying shades of blue to evoke calmness, vastness, and the subconscious mind. They serve as meditative reflections of the unknown.  Exciting News! I’m honored to be featured in the July Edit of The Scout Guide Park City!
A big thank you to Sunny Longsdon for the beautiful feature: Fearless by Design: How Samantha da Silva’s Workshops Inspire Creative Breakthroughs “Art is more than a visual language—it’s a grounding force. In this chat, I share what it means to create fearlessly, connect with your creative voice, and see the canvas as just the beginning of an exciting journey.” Read the full article https://thescoutguide.com/park-city/editorial/fearless-by-design-how-samantha-da-silvas-new-workshops-inspire-creative-breakthroughs/ And don’t miss my upcoming workshops—check out the details below. I’d love to see you there! https://www.samanthadasilva.com/upcoming-retreats.html  Exciting news! New artworks have arrived at Gallery Mar in Park City, Utah!
Shop the Collection https://www.gallerymar.com/artists/samantha-da-silva  W H IT E P A I N T I N G S
Exploring purity, simplicity, and clarity, these works utilize a predominantly white palette to evoke a sense of tranquility and spiritual openness. They invite viewers to contemplate emptiness and the potential within blank spaces.  New Work
This collection explores the layers of identity, spirituality, and vulnerability. Through symbolism and varied mediums, it invites viewers to reflect on their inner worlds and their connection to the broader universe. |