Dramatic Flair
Informed by his theater background, artist Samuel Pettit knows how to bring out the characters in his work.
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Name: Samuel Pettit
Age: 48
Location: Pacific Northwest
Day job: Theater Director
Relevant art degrees/education: BFA
Art medium/media: Illustration and Digital Art/Painting
Primary subject(s): Graphic Novels, figure studies
Current Exhibition: Zodiac Collection with Assasin’s Men’s Wear
Bluesky: @tumbledheroes
Instagram: @tumbledheroes
He’s written musicals and graphic novels. He’s directed on the stage and DJ’d at the club. He’s exhibited his art and collaborated with T-shirt companies. He’s gone viral. • Multidisciplinary artist Samuel Pettit has followed all of his passions, letting his creative heart lead the way. • Grounded in the theater, he understands the importance of movement and expressiveness, not just physically but mentally and artistically. He embraces the new and the challenging, teaching himself whatever he needs to do whatever project he’s chasing. • And in these challenging times, he firmly believes that the arts have great power to make the world a better place.
Do you recall your first “art” experience as a kid?
My mother knew that the best way to keep me occupied as a kid was a box of Crayolas and a stack of scrap paper. As she likes to say, I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil.
My family has always been very open to art. I had the privilege to have a grandmother who would take me museums and shows, even when I was little and didn’t quite understand. It was always a world of bright colors for me.
Where did you learn all of your drawing and illustrating skills?
I’m autodidactic.
What was your creative journey to the present?
I have been involved in the arts my entire life. I have worked as a comic strip artist and political cartoonist, which my parents very much enjoyed.
About 10 years ago — almost exactly when I met my husband — I decided to learn how to digitally paint. I started a blog of Tumblr (may it rest in peace) called “Tumbled Heroes,” which is the name of my brand today. I would post all my art and then look back periodically, and it allowed me to see what I had learned.
How did you and your husband meet?
Kismet. I was a video DJ at a musical theater night in a local bar that Ryan went to. We met, fell in love, and he has been my support and muse ever since. We got married on a beautiful boat, and it’s been wonderful.
It sounds like you’ve always had a lot of support around you for your creative pursuits. Was there ever a time where you were ready to throw in the towel?
I tend to need to focus on one creative project at a time. So when I’m working in multiple disciplines, I sometimes need to choose what to prioritize. I did put down illustration for about a decade when I started focusing on direction and choreography after college.
How has the LGBTQ+ community influenced your creative journey?
The LGBTQ+ community has always been a warm and accepting atmosphere to explore my creativity. The community has been supportive and — considering I tend to do figure study of men — very interested in my work and political cartoon’s messages.
You have a lot of experience across the arts. Have the other media informed your illustration?
Dance, movement, and expressiveness have always informed my subjects. It’s cliche, but I feel art should tell some sort of story.
With your wide-range of creative interests, what ultimately took you to pursue theater?
I was taught to sing and dance when I was young, and I’m gay.
Seriously, though, my grandmother, a true New Yorker, would take me to see children’s plays and Broadway tours when I was little, and I fell in love with them. When I work on shows I feel close to her.
I believe the first show I saw was Annie, which turned out to be a funny coincidence since I ended up working as a stage manager for Martin Charnin (the guy who wrote Annie) in my early 30s.
Do you remember what prompted you to start doing digital stuff?
I wanted to learn something new, and I’ve always enjoyed teaching myself new things.
Sometimes I look back at my old attempts and cringe. And sometimes I realize I was on the verge of finding something new for me.
Where do you draw inspiration for your pieces?
Wow! Great question.
Observation. Color trends. Art trends. Models.
As to other artists, the range is huge. Comic artists like Billy Watterson, Berke Breathed and Lynn Johnston. Local PNW artists like Cody Shipman. And famous artists: Michelangelo, Rodin, and Delacroix.
Would you change anything about your artistic journey?
I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve fallen in love with visual art, and my journey has made me the artist I am.
What is your favorite work you’ve created?
Jesus at the Drag Show.
It went viral — for all the right reasons.
What was the thought process behind that comic? In the current climate, were you afraid of any backlash, death threats, etc.?
That cartoon was in direct response to the current climate. I had been inspired by Jay Hume’s wonderful poem about Jesus at the gay bar, which I had done an illustrated piece on. The next Jesus cartoon was a direct extension of that. I was retweeted by a prominent gay influencer, and the cartoon exploded.
I heard from archbishops and clergy (in support), and there were also a lot of religious trolls who couldn’t handle it. Sometimes people tried to goad me on by telling me to draw Muhammad. My reply was “I work on commission. If you want a picture of Muhammad…you draw one.”
Yes there were threats, but the overwhelming response was positive. I have ideas for more “Jesus at the…” in the future.
You’ve written two graphic novels — where did you draw inspiration for those?
The runs I’ve had are sold out. I may do further runs at some point. They were called LX, which was a sci-fi book, and Azure, which was a superhero story. I was a featured artist at L.A. Comicon and Flamecon in New York City. I’d like to do a future book based on fairytales next.
What do you usually look for when finding a model for your work?
I would flip this on its head.
To aspiring models: Do you feel comfortable with the artist, photographer you are working with? Are those who book you, or for whom you may donate time, treating you with respect and kindness? If they aren’t, they aren’t worth working for.
But when a model and an artist groove, it’s electric. There is nothing quite like seeing yourself through the eyes of an artist, whatever their medium.
If you’re curious, attend a figure study class. Lots of local gay spots in major cities have “drink and draws.” It’s a great way to improve your sketch work and meet other artists.
If you are an aspiring model, it will show you that everyone sees something different and beautiful in you, and that your contribution is a wonderful gift.
Other advice, lighting is very warm. Drink water and stay hydrated when you are posing.
How did the Zodiac project come about?
I was showing art at a gay-oriented clothing boutique called Sergius & Bacchus in Seattle, and one day when I came in, I learned that one of the owners (it was run by a married couple) had passed suddenly. They had planned to do a Queer inspired Zodiac series, and the surviving partner wondered if I’d be willing to do the illustrations for it.
I pitched a style, and we agreed. Since then I did the whole Zodiac series and other T-shirts. It’s a great outlet to do art and I always love seeing my shirt designs in the wild. Since then, the owner, Ray, has become a good friend.
You’ve got a lot of collaboration experience under your belt. What advice do you have for artists thinking about dipping their toes into their first collab?
Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.
It’s so much easier if everyone is on the same page. And do your best to be good to work with. Word will travel fast if you are disrespectful, don’t pay what’s promised or betray someone’s trust.
Don’t be “that guy.” I try to live this. I got a lot of art to make in my life, and I need as many people on my side and rooting me on as possible.
Looking into the future: What’s next for you and your art?
I am currently the new director of a theater company in the Puget Sound, so that’s taking a lot of my creative energy. The shirts give me a fun outlet, as well as painting beautiful menfolk in my spare time.
Once I find a little more balance, I’d like to create a third graphic novel. I got the story and a lot of the art ready, but it is a very large investment of time. There will likely also be another musical to be written as well.
Another musical?! That’s cool — how did that come about?
I’ve written three. They were commissioned. I got an amazing writing partner and we just hit it off theatrically, which is fun because as personalities we’re very different. But we share a love of music and teaching and the arts.
All you need to do is complete one project. It might be hard, but you realize it sets a precedence. If you can do it once, you can do it again. And you know that because… you did it before. You are your own proof. It makes the projects feel less overwhelming a builds confidence.
Start small and keep growing. That applies to books, musicals, art pieces, comics — all of it.
What advice would you offer to other creatives?
Create in your own way and on your own terms and make art for yourself. You’re the only person your art has to impress.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We live in a time where there is so much authentic art accessible for everyone to see, interact with, and be inspired by. Do everything you can to uplift, promote, and support those artists within your sphere of influence.
Art does make the world bearable.
