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About Me

Meet the Artist Behind Samantha by Design

Hi, I'm Samantha Taylor, I'm 31 years old and I am the face behind Samantha by Design. Creating art has always been about more than just painting for me — it's about connection, creativity, and bringing meaningful moments to life on canvas.

Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of creating custom artwork, teaching hundreds of students how to paint, and helping people celebrate special moments through art.

How it all began

My journey into art wasn’t always straightforward.

Way before building my art business, I spent two years studying nursing in Ottawa. While I cared deeply about helping people, I eventually realized that the path I was on wasn’t the right fit for me.

During that time, I faced some difficult challenges with my mental health following the passing of my mémère and even spent time in the Mental Health Unit.

It was a turning point in my life.

Art became something that helped me reconnect with myself, find balance again, and discover a new direction forward.

What started as a personal creative outlet eventually grew into something much bigger than I ever expected.

Building Samantha by Design

In August 2020, I officially started my business, Samantha by Design.

To be honest, I didn’t have a perfectly mapped-out plan at the time. I just knew I felt deeply called to create and share art, and I couldn’t ignore that feeling any longer.

At the time, I had a secure job working as an attendance secretary at a high school. It was stable and practical, but something about it felt empty. I knew in my heart that I was meant to be doing something different.

Starting this business felt like a leap of faith. Some people thought it was a risky decision, but looking back now, it’s easily one of the best choices I’ve ever made.

Art has been incredibly powerful in my own life. During difficult moments, it became something that helped me reconnect with myself, find peace, and move forward. In many ways, art truly saved my life.

Today, I feel incredibly grateful to share that experience with others.

My work now includes:

• Custom commission paintings
• Live wedding paintings
• In-person paint classes and creative events
• Fundraising paint nights for community organizations
• Online painting tutorials for beginners

Each painting I create and every class I teach is an opportunity to help someone discover the same joy, creativity, and healing that art has brought into my own life.

Samantha by Design is proudly based in Timmins, Ontario and serves clients across Northern Ontario and beyond.

Teaching & Sharing Creativity

One of my favorite parts of what I do is teaching.

Many of my students arrive feeling nervous because they believe they "aren't artistic."

But with the right guidance and a little encouragement, they quickly discover that painting can be fun, relaxing, and incredibly rewarding.

Seeing someone create a painting they’re proud of — sometimes for the very first time — is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.

Community & Giving Back

Supporting my local community is also something that’s very important to me.

Over the years, I’ve hosted fundraising paint events and organized charity art auctions to help support local organizations and initiatives. Through these efforts, we’ve been able to donate hundreds and hundreds of dollars to causes that truly matter.

Some of the organizations that have benefited include:

• Timmins Humane Society
• Ellevive
• The Northern Cancer Foundation
• The Timmins Alzheimer Society
• The Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins
• Paint for the Cure 2024
• Indigenous Theatre Timmins
• and other local initiatives

Art has a beautiful way of bringing people together, and I love being able to use creativity as a way to support causes that make a real difference.

I may not be able to change the world on my own, but with the support of my incredible clients, friends, and family, we’ve been able to give back and help others in meaningful ways. Leading by example and supporting our community is something I will always care deeply about.

Life Outside the Studio

When I’m not painting, you’ll usually find me enjoying the simple things in life.

I’ve been with my husband for almost 11 years, and he has been one of my biggest supporters throughout this entire journey. We also share our home with our two adorable cats, Minou and Luna, who keep life entertaining and full of laughter.

I’m a huge lover of nature and animals, and I enjoy spending time outdoors whenever I can — whether that’s gardening, fishing, or simply enjoying a quiet moment outside.

I’m also a bit of a foodie and love cooking and trying new recipes. Creating in the kitchen feels a lot like painting to me — experimenting, learning, and making something from scratch.

One thing about me is that I absolutely love learning. If school were free, I’d probably be there all the time just exploring new subjects and ideas. Curiosity has always been a big part of who I am, and it definitely shows up in my art and the way I teach.

My family means absolutely everything to me! God has really blessed this little life of mine, I am thankful every single day.