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Born and raised in Hawaii. I
became fascinated by art at
an early age, and it
eventually became a way of
life.
I graduated from the
University of Hawaii with a
Bachelor of Fine Arts, and
immediately became a
professional graphic artist,
designing everything from
logos to T-shirts and book illustrations. For over twenty
years, I supported my family with a successful sign
painting and fabricating shop. As my kids grew up and I
had more time to myself, I began delving into what has
become my true passion for oil painting.
My talent undoubedly comes from my mother who had
been a great illustrator in her younger days until she had
all of us distracting kids to raise. She passed her
fascination for art on to me.
© Lee Samson 2009 All Rights Reserved
My oil painting career started around 1997, after working
for Wyland as a graphic artist. He introduced me both to
other fine artists and to the world of oil painting in the
galleries.
One of my close friends, artist Roy Tabora calls me a
hybrid artist: a graphic artist (designer) / fine artist (oil
painter) because of my versatility in switching from one
area to another as the need—usually economic—arises.
Despite the occasional Gaughin fantasy of chucking it all, I
already live and paint in paradise. Each morning I do some
chores, then start painting. In the afternoon, I may continue
painting or—if the surf is up—go body-boarding at beautiful
Makapuu Beach to keep the body fit for my old age. Then
after some family time,
it’s back to more
painting until I retire
for the day, ready to
do it all over again the
next day. Life is good.