"The Nature of Art by Sam McLaughlin"

Sam found his niche’ in pastels after many years of dabbling in oils and many other mediums – and was influenced greatly by his pastel artist mother (Ruth Ann McLaughlin) in West Virginia, his home state.

After graduating high school in 1980, Sam enrolled at West Virginia University after deciding to pursue a Graphic Design degree. He eventually transferred to Shepherd University, a liberal arts school with a stronger concentration in art, where he graduated with a B.A. in Graphic Design. Sam entered the corporate world of graphic arts and design; working for various printing and advertising agencies throughout the eastern United States.

Christmas 1999 was a turning point in Sam’s life, when his mother bought him a set of pastels. His first painting was of his two month old Chocolate Lab puppy, Hank. When that painting sold, Sam was hooked. He began advertising "Sam’s Pet Portraits" with local veterinarians. Business took off. Within nine months, Sam had climbed down from the corporate ladder, moved to the family vacation home in N. Topsail Beach, NC (which he later purchased) and began his painting career.

Since then, Sam has developed a love for both portraiture and nature art. The majority of his paintings are scenes from Topsail Island and the surrounding areas. "I love painting the beautiful wildlife, seascapes, and sunsets this island has to offer."