“Permissive,” mixed media by Samm Cohen
The opening page of Samm Cohen’s website includes this quote from
Carl Jung: “There is no coming to consciousness without pain.”
Samm brings a distinctive touch – fearless, perceptive, emotional – to multiple media: oil paint on canvas, glass, and foil; photography and digital art; one-of-a-kind wearable art using clay, screws, guitar strings, styrofoam.
Her “Golden Screams” three-piece set appears below, followed by six images representing a sample of her work. 
Here’s the good word from Ms. Cohen:
“I think what is important about
my pieces is I don’t think they need explanation. That what they touch
is visceral, is a place of emoting and contemplation, a place without words really, and though I very much like language and I do write poetry, sometimes in the context of my pieces, it’s the experience more intuitive and heartfelt, more intimate, that I seek to communicate.”
Visit sammcohen.com to view her work in multiple mediums. I believe her art captures the beauty as well as the heartache.
“A Pit of Needing”
“But I Remember Everything“
“Plastic Ponders,” Tucson, Arizona
“He Wants to Know, Just Sometimes, the World as I See It”
“Self Portrait: Through My Own Skins”
“Vast America: Sky in Drive 2”
All images in this “Guest Spot” are original artwork by Samm Cohen © 2011.
CatRutgers4Art 
Cat, looks great. Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome, Samm. Putting the post together was a fascinating way to discover more about your art. But as much as I love the online images, they’re not nearly as rich as seeing them in person. I’m sorry to have missed the “Guerilla Art Show” in July. And it’s hard to believe the National Arts Club was 2009; the elegance of that place was a perfect setting, and my memories of the gallery filled with your art remain vivid, vibrant, and powerful – which is also a good description of your studio. Did you ever think of posting pictures of your workspace on the website? In any case, I’m looking forward to your next show!
One of the things I really like about the lineup here is that it includes different media and a fairly wide time range, running all the way up to your photos from the cross-country Aliens tour this winter. But there’s at least one thing I missed. The prints! Could you be so kind as to post the URL for those? I’m gapping out on where to find them. Also, if you’re so inclined, can you tell us more about them, as well as the work that’s most exciting for you right now?
P.S. Where in vast America, was “Vast America” taken?
some of the prints are here:
http://www.sammcohen.com/newpainting.html
thanks again. I make art. Its part of me. There is too much that I could say and words do not express. But if there are any specific questions, or specific pieces, I will do my best
somewhere driving around Arizona-New Mexico I would say
Hi, Samm! Thanks for the prints link (http://www.sammcohen.com/newpainting.html)
I love the pages with multiple variations, e.g., “Watching” and “Ringing in the Ears.” As they reveal the print alone, then added painting, handwritten words, or collage, the transformations are fascinating.
As for the road shot, that blue-tint color against the sky, the flash of yellow-orange, the proportion of the bands – clouds down to asphalt and earth – knock me out every time.
Hi, Michael! You’ve really made my day seeing that you’ve been here. I always hope that visitors will explore the archives, and you did. Thank you!