Spotlight on Arts with Samantha Peberdy
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Spotlight on Arts features Leicester artist Samantha Peppard discussing her journey from early commissions inspired by her family’s dairy farm to establishing a career in the creative sector. She talks about studying illustration at UWE Bristol, working from Churchgate Studios, experimenting with materials, and developing public art projects such as painted windows. This episode explores balancing creativity with earning a livelihood, building community connections, working with charities, and encouraging young people to follow their artistic interests. Samantha also reflects on the role of social media, the value of referrals, and sustaining an authentic creative practice.
In this episode of Spotlight on Arts, John Coster and Rob Watson speak with Leicester-based artist Samantha Peberdy about the path she has taken from school to building a career in the creative sector.
Samantha recalls early commissions as a teenager, often inspired by her family’s dairy farm, and explains how encouragement at home shaped her determination to pursue art as both a passion and a source of income. She reflects on her choice to study illustration at UWE Bristol, valuing a course that balanced creative exploration with practical skills for earning a livelihood.
The conversation explores the pressures and benefits of having a dedicated studio space, with Samantha sharing how Churchgate Studios provides a supportive environment without the constraints that can stifle creativity. She discusses her interest in experimenting with different media, from acrylics and oil pastels to three-dimensional installations and painted windows, as part of her ongoing search for what inspires her most.
Community connection runs through her practice, whether through local exhibitions, collaborative projects with charities, or creative workshops for young people. She talks about the importance of listening, encouraging others to follow their interests, and thinking laterally about how skills and passions can be developed into sustainable work.
The discussion also touches on the opportunities and challenges of social media, the value of referrals and repeat collaborations, and the role of authenticity in building professional relationships. Samantha’s approach is rooted in enjoying the process, staying open to new possibilities, and keeping creativity at the heart of her work.
The full conversation offers an insight into how an artist can navigate the balance between personal expression, community engagement, and making a living—without losing sight of the joy that first sparked their creative journey.
