The Ohio Artist Registry (OAR) is an exciting opportunity for artists to share their work, connect with the creative community, and establish an online presence—all on a free, virtual platform! The OAR encourages artists working in all art forms, throughout Ohio and beyond, to create a profile, which allows them to better promote themselves and their work. Being listed in the OAR provides artists with new opportunities to share their work with clients, galleries, patrons, and audiences. A listing in the OAR does not confer an endorsement, approval, or verification by the Ohio Arts Council.
For more information, contact Kathy Signorino, artist programs director, at kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov or 614-728-6140.
2024 Ohio Artist Registry Juried Exhibition
Bio
Samantha Schneider, an accomplished oil painter originally from Grand Rapids, MI. Now residing in Shelby, OH, Schneider carved her artistic niche with massive figurative works that seamlessly blend drama and soft elegance. Specializing in self-portraiture, Schneider’s canvases come alive with emotive intensity and a profound connection to art history.
A proud alum of the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), Schneider graduated in 2021 with a double major in painting and drawing. Her academic journey was marked by exceptional studio practice, earning her the prestigious Eastman (1912)-Bolton Memorial Prize. Additionally, she was honored with the Mary Seymour Brooks Scholarship for Painting and the Liza Noble ’48 Scholarship for Excellence in Painting, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the field.
Schneider’s artistic vision draws inspiration from the theatrical staging of paintings, a technique masterfully employed by Artemisia Gentileschi, one of her foremost influences. This influence is evident in the grandiosity of her figurative works, where each brushstroke conveys a profound narrative and emotional depth. The artist seamlessly weaves drama into her compositions, creating a captivating visual experience for her audience.
What sets Schneider apart is her ability to infuse her works with a soft elegance that tempers the intensity of the scenes she portrays. Her canvases, though colossal in scale, exude a delicate balance between power and grace. It is this unique synthesis that has garnered her recognition in the art world and captivated the imaginations of art enthusiasts.
Residing in Shelby, OH, Schneider continues to evolve as an artist, pushing the boundaries of figurative painting. Her dedication to self-portraiture serves as a poignant exploration of identity and the human experience, inviting viewers to delve into the complexities of emotion and storytelling within each stroke of her brush.
As Samantha Schneider’s artistic journey unfolds, it is evident that her contributions to the world of oil painting will leave an indelible mark. With a foundation rooted in classical techniques and a contemporary flair, Schneider is poised to shape the future of figurative art, inviting audiences to explore the intersection of drama and elegance on her expansive canvases.
Artist Statement
In my large-scale oil paintings, I embark on a visual exploration of the intricacies of human emotions and the unique essence of individuality. Through the intimate lens of self-portraiture, I delve into the depths of the human experience, capturing the essence of emotions that often linger beneath the surface.
My artistic journey is a relentless pursuit of authenticity and self-discovery, with each brushstroke serving as a pathway to understanding the complexity of my own emotions and the universal threads that connect us all. The canvas becomes a mirror, reflecting the myriad facets of the human soul, laid bare for the viewer to witness.
Working primarily in the medium of oil allows me to create rich, layered textures that mirror the intricate layers of our emotional landscapes. The fluidity of the medium enables me to blend and shape emotions, bringing forth a visual narrative that transcends words. The scale of my paintings is deliberate, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the raw and unfiltered emotions portrayed, fostering a sense of connection and shared humanity.
As I navigate the realms of self-portraiture, I am not merely capturing a likeness but aiming to encapsulate the essence of individuality. Each brushstroke is a celebration of the unique amalgamation of experiences, memories, and dreams that make each person a singular work of art. Through my self-portraits, I seek to unravel the layers of identity, inviting viewers to contemplate their own sense of self and the stories etched into their beings.
In this visual odyssey, I am inspired by the nuances of light and shadow, color and form, to create a symbiotic relationship between the external and internal worlds. The interplay of these elements amplifies the emotional resonance of my work, providing a multidimensional experience that goes beyond the surface.
My art is an ongoing dialogue between the tangible and intangible, the seen and unseen. Through my large-scale oil paintings, I invite you to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to explore the vast spectrum of emotions, and to embrace the beauty found in individuality.
