The Art of Survival (and Sammy thrashLife)
Following a two-year stint of treatment for borderline personality disorder and heroin addiction, Sam North re-entered the world with the moniker “Sammy thrashLife” and the resolve to build a life on the new passion he discovered while institutionalized. On Friday afternoons, patients had “expressive art therapy” group. He hated it until, one day, it just clicked and became his favorite thing in the world.
A graduate of the Law Center at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, thrashLife has no formal arts training. “I like colors and funny faces. Itʼs more than that,” the artist concedes, “but Iʼm the first to admit Iʼve got zero technical ability.”
Bright colors, rotten smiles, and snarky captions in bold block-letters characterize his work but a closer look reveals intensely honest, reflective, personal journals in small print. “I donʼt shoot heroin anymore but Iʼm still an emotional basketcase,” thrashLife says. “Paints and pens are the tools I use to balance myself out.”
For every piece of art that Sammy creates, he writes a statement to accompany the piece – published both on his blog and packaged with his limited-edition prints. They generally include all of the text found within the piece, as well as stories, notes, and additional context, explaining what makes each work of art meaningful to him. They both tell the story of his life and reveal shockingly vulnerable (often embarrassingly personal) insight into his emotional state.
Recovery is not always a straight line. Three years into a fast-growing art career, Sammy endured the most traumatic episode of his life. Though he held strong for several months, it eventually defeated him. He lost years to his relapse before he was finally ready to face the world again.
Now, thrashLife is finally back, making art, and determined to never let anything defeat him ever again. You can find him on social media or – better yet – see all of his art and read all of his writing at sammythrashLife.com.
Selected press and media:
Folio (magazine; Florida)
“Sam’s brutal honesty, always with a dose of narcissism and boyish charm … leaves an impact on almost everyone he meets. He gives so much of himself, both through his art and the short biographical stories he includes with each piece — which is exactly why it’s selling.” (Read the full story).
NPR (radio; Minnesota)
“Sporting a shock of blond hair and an impish grin, thrashLife has a presence that verges on performance art… His paintings are brash and colorful, mixed with small-print streams of consciousness and topped with a larger, more snarky or witty comment to grab the eye.” (Listen to the full report).
The Wake (magazine; Minnesota)
“While displays fill the gallery, the hectic work of artist Sammy thrashLife steals the show.” (Read full article/review).
You can also read about Sammy thrashLife on Wikipedia and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
See the latest work in the Gallery, the newest entries in the Blog, or buy your favorite art from the Webstore.
Awesome! Keep fightin the good fight man. Got your sticker
@ artwalk. Jax Fl
Heard about this site on IG. A friend from Jacksonville posted a link.
you should send your work to the OK HARRIS gallery in the village (NYC) . Steven Corsano has a show there now, your work is similar…and very touching…
lori
Hi Sammy! I met you in front SunRay Cinemas in Jax and purchased a piece for a friend. Any chance SunRay may air your film in Jax? Do let me know if it happens. Your spirit is delightful… I’m still feeling the love I felt just walking up to your table and seeing all that beautiful, evocative, outrageous bunch of you! Nanette
Saw you at One Spark, never loose that smile and passion to paint! Awesome pieces.
I meet you walking out of Burrito Gallery 4/11/14 during onespark in JAX, when you asked if I’d like a piece of paper… I initially said no I’m good, until you insisted “it’s a really awesome piece of paper” (your story and website info). Awesome story man and keep up the great art work! Thanks for telling me it was an awesome piece of paper, cause I wouldn’t have taken otherwise.
Good for you 🙂 i, love ur art work
I wanna buy a few originals..how much money we talking? Get back to me please.Enjoy.
Give me a call at […].
Hey man I met you yesterday and you’re so cool! Awesome art work!
Hi Sammy, met you on Michigan Ave in Chicago my daughter and walked up to your table, her and I both love your work. Keep in flight!
My best friend and I love you!!!!!!!!!
sending you some love from jacksonville, fl <3 I have one of your pieces up in my room & thought it would be cool to hit you up. we'd love to see you come back around here whenever you get the chance! I love your art (…and you) & I want some more of it (: thx
I’ve never been so inspired. Thank you
Sam is a sleeping giant. With a little clarity he’ll conquer world. It may not be formal, and a little off the beaten path, but I have faith, he’s going to find a zone, and become a rocket ship.
Hi Sam, I met you while you were painting on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. Very cool to talk to you and see you painting. Also, I loved the letter you posted on local businesses to introduce yourself. Stay Strong!
Hi Sam, You are a great role model of how to take control of your life rather than life controlling you. Keep it up!
Hey Sammy, meet you outside “Instinct” on an unusually hot April 30th in Minneapolis. You were out on the sidewalk painting and had no shirt on … may I just say … your girlfriend is a VERY lucky woman!!!
You and your art are very inspiring, and even though I can’t afford to buy a piece or two right now, I now have your site and will invest in your future at a later time.
Best of luck sexy Sammy!
Jeff
Great story great art see you in Seattle!
Very powerful and positive work. Love the story. The artwork looks fun and whimsical.
I met you on Broadway in NYC about a week ago. I took some photos (which I’d love to share with you but don’t know how). I told you I’d post you on my tumblr site …
Hi, Yvette! If you click on the “Contact” link at the top of the page, there’s you can upload the photos right there. Thanks!
You’re my favorite artist.
Damn dude. Hate to hear about your earlier troubles. I saw you play with EDFR here in Memphis back in 2004 or 5. I traded a zine for one of your demos. Always remembered those songs, I’m sure I could recite a few back to you. Glad your doing well now, I hope. I’ve had plenty of those old struggles myself.
He had awesome pants.
i just found one of your art works “im excited please dont forget please dont slip” at a local thrift store and i had to buy it. its amazing
That’s awesome!
Just outta curiosity, what city did you find it in? Also, I don’t know if you’re referring to a print or the original but (either way) if it didn’t come with the usual info sheet that I include and you want to look up the story behind the piece, you can find it in the blog entry dedicated to that piece (the actual title is “No Accident”).
Thanks so much for writing!