Sharon Samples | b. 1982 | Mobile, AL
As my parents tell it, I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. I still remember winning a coloring contest when I was four years old—that little moment of recognition was all it took for me to fall in love with art.
After spending several years in the printing industry using my graphic design skills, I eventually answered a quiet, persistent call to teach. I started my journey in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama, and later moved to Montgomery in 2018, where I continue to teach visual arts to students of all backgrounds. Helping young artists discover their voice has become one of the most rewarding parts of my creative life.
I earned my BFA in Graphic Design from the University of South Alabama and my Visual Arts Education certification from Athens State University in 2020. Since then, I’ve continued growing as both an artist and educator—attending the Alabama Space Academy for Educators in 2024 (where my team won the mission patch design competition) and the National Portrait Gallery Teacher Institute in 2025. This past year, I’ve also enjoyed sharing my work and ideas at arts education conferences and connecting with other teachers who believe in the power of creativity.
My artwork often reflects the people, landscapes, and stories of the South. I’ve shown pieces in exhibitions in both Mobile and Montgomery, including BLK FWD Vol. 1 at the Tullibody Fine Arts Building. One of my proudest moments as an artist was illustrating Your Career, Your Superpower, a children’s book written by one of my former students, Jakari Johnson.
Outside of teaching and creating, I run Leaf River Vintage, an online vintage boutique where I combine my love of history, photography, and design. When I’m not curating old treasures, you can usually find me thrifting, caring for my plants, spending time with family, or sipping a good cup of tea.
e-mail: sharon.samples@me.com
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Who is artgyrl?
A character I created around 2002, she's the avatar for this site. She has a story that may eventually see light in comic form.