Samantha Cortese

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 To me, creative expression is the balance of an inspired idea and intuition. 

Somewhere in the space between imagining and remembering is where I find my inspiration. My paintings are what I see when I close my eyes—a swirl of color, movement, and energy rising from the dark. I don’t plan every brushstroke; I let intuition guide me, following the pull of color and texture.

Inspiration is everywhere—the shifting colors of the sky before a storm or the shapes of a dream barely remembered. I translate these fleeting moments and memories into bold, layered compositions. My work isn’t about recreating reality but capturing emotions—joy, nostalgia, wonder—the feeling of standing still while the world moves around you. Each painting is a snapshot of those feelings, abstract yet deeply familiar, inviting a connection with anyone who sees it.

I love getting my hands dirty in the process, working with acrylics and unconventional tools on canvas, often experimenting with mixed media and collaged layers. Texture is key—it makes a painting something to experience, not just observe. My true obsession is color—how hues can melt into one another. Each palette is carefully curated to balance bold, expressive colors with softer tones to create harmony.

I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be an artist. It wasn’t until the quiet lonely winter of 2020 that I picked up a paintbrush and found my language. Now, my work lives in homes, galleries, and spaces where people want to feel something deep and real. For collectors, galleries, and designers looking for art that sparks emotion and transforms a space, my paintings offer a sense of movement, energy, and depth. They invite you to pause, feel, and get lost in a moment of color and raw emotion.