Awesome Artists We’ve Found Around The Net: Sam Mayle

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

For years, Awesome Art We've Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net." In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up and coming, or well established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences, and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at [email protected].This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of… 

Sam Mayle

Sam Mayle is an illustrator and graphic designer based in the London and Essex area of the United Kingdom. Currently represented by Strange Brew Agency.

Sam graduated from Colchester Institute in 2015, studying graphic design. However, Sam sees himself being self-taught in illustration, by drawing and doodling every chance he got, ever since he was very young. His influences range from sci-fi, fantasy, and everyday life, from all forms of media. Sam's imagination is fuelled by film/t.v, video games, and literature, any good story told by a particular medium can instantly captivate him.

Sam is always on the lookout for his next big project that can challenge and express his creative ability, while also working on his own personal projects. Sam's best work comes from when he is being challenged, and his creative ability is pushed. This comes from Sam's desire to always push and better himself, in order to be the best artist he can – through constant research and practice.

Sam has a steady growing online fanbase, which he never takes for granted. With his followers online always providing the extra motivation he needs to work harder, and produce better work.

JoBlo: What got you started as an artist?
Mayle: I have always been creative since a young age, always drawing characters from various tv shows and films that inspired me. Not knowing what I truly wanted to do career-wise, being a graphic designer seemed like a sensible option. Not just financially but it seems like it would be a pretty safe and creative job to have. So I studied graphic design through college and university. Graduating in 2015 I jumped straight into a graphic design job, but after a year I realized it was for me and I wasn’t being satirized creatively. Then I started to discover some incredible illustrators and poster artists on Instagram and it suddenly clicked…this is what I want to be doing, creating movie posters! It ties in with my love for drawing, and my love for film, it just made sense. So in 2016 I decided to jump straight into freelancing as both a graphic designer and illustrator. Taking on various commissions from book covers, album covers, and t-shirts, to help build up my portfolio. Until I eventually started creating movie posters for independent films. I then began taking part in PosterSpy’s creative brief as that was a great way to hone my skills as a poster artist and be part of a great supportive community of other artists.

Eventually, I began working on official work for Universal and Netflix, as well as taking part in exhibitions with Hero Complex Gallery and Gallery 1988.

Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?

I guess I was never truly inspired by any particular artist when I was growing up, I pretty much just stuck to trying to do my own thing and was mainly inspired by cartoons such as Dragon Ball Z, and over stylized, visual films such as 300 and Sin City. But video games were also a huge influence on me as well, as I loved looking at the concept art for video games and seeing the artistic talent behind them and all the work that went into particular scenes and characters.

Who do you really dig these days, follow on Instagram?

Nothing has truly changed from when I was younger, I am very much influenced by films and video games. However, I’m much more aware of what and why a particular design and colour scheme work within a film or video game, and how I can take that and be inspired for a future project. For any particular scene, I’ll pick it apart and see what works visually and how this adds to the emotion of the scene: Rain for example might make a scene more intense, while a red sunset might help emphasize a more embracing feeling for the characters.

In terms of artists, there’s are too many to name! But to name a few would be Christopher Lovell, Dan Mumford, Colin Estrada, and Ken Taylor.

What advice would you have for budding artists today?

As cliche as it sounds, it would be never to give up. I’ve wanted to give up so many times during my career because I’ve never felt good enough compared to other artists, and that I would never ‘make it as a successful artist. Looking back to where I was a year ago, 2 years, or even 5 years, I can see how much I've improved and the clients I’m working with now. Your career as an artist can only get better as you improve, and make sure you work smarter and make time for your friends and family outside of your work life. Working as a freelance artist can feel like a 24/7 job (and it is most of the time), but make time to enjoy life outside of work.

What should we be looking out for from you in the future?

At the moment I have a dozen shows lined up with Hero Complex Gallery, scheduled to be released throughout 2021 depending on one the situation of the pandemic. I’m also working with a big TVshow here in the UK on a lot of illustrations so that will hopefully be aired this year. But I’m mostly working with various clients, whether it's album covers, t-shirts, or movie posters. While also working on my own personal work, as it's been a while since I've created work just for myself so that’s been nice to focus on this year.

Being a fansite, we have to ask you… What are some of your favorite movies/TV shows of all time?

Whenever I’m asked this question I always say Dragon Ball Z growing up, as it was such a huge influence on my young mind, with all the action and explosions of colour. I was always drawing characters and scenes from the show. I’m also a huge fan of superhero films and picking a favourite seems impossible! However, the 300 film does remain one of my all-time favourite films as well, as I was instantly captivated by the unique style of the film back then. On the other hand, The Notebook is equally one of my favourites as well (soppy I know). And to list a few other films: Christmas Vacation, Peanut Butter Falcon, Tenacious D, Crazy Stupid Love, Drive, Star Wars, and Lord Of The Rings. So it's pretty varied.

In terms of TV shows: The Office, How I met Your Mother, South Park, You, Peaky Blinders, It’s Always Sunny, The Witcher.

Scroll down to check out some of our favorite art pieces from Josh as we continue to follow his journey across his Website and social media hubs: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Store / YouTube   

Blade Runner

Bloodsport

Dragon Ball Z

The Evil Dead

Hellboy

I Am Mother

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

IT

John Wick 2

The Joker

The Omen

Predator 2

Shadow of the Colossus

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Stranger Things

Tenacious D

300

Venom

The Walking Dead