Meet Samuel Nkrumah | 3D Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samuel Nkrumah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samuel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I embarked on the artistic journey propelled by an unwavering drive to create, leaving an indelible mark on the world through my creations. As the years unfold, my aspiration is for these works to not only be seen but to be eternally remembered as intriguing and captivating pieces of the past. From an early age, I found satisfaction in the world of creativity, drawing inspiration from playing Legos with my sister and the imaginative stories and lore that we created together as well as all of the early 2000’s media I saw. However, it was in high school that a friend of mine saw my drawings and introduced me to Blender, a powerful 3D/CGI software. This discovery marked a pivotal moment for me and, one I always remember as I found a new and exciting medium to bring my ideas to life. As I created anything I could think of the memories of playful creativity with my sister resurfaced, inspiring me to set a profound goal — to create art and later on a series based on the wild and imaginative stories we conjured. The roots of my creative journey lie in these early experiences, laying the foundation for my dedication to making eye-catching visuals and captivating stories. Ever since I started making art in Blender and interacted with so many talented artists and interesting projects I this drive to continue to create and make has only been fueled. Looking back and seeing my steps in my progress has encouraged me even more to accomplish my goal.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I categorize my art as a fusion of abstract and sci-fi, where virtually everything I create revolves around sci-fi themes, adorned with a distinct abstract twist in each render or animation I make. From anime renders to environment concepts, my primary focus remains on crafting main sci-fi pieces. As a big sci-fi and anime fan, my creations draw inspiration from favorites like Gurren Lagann, Evangelion, Code Geass, and a bunch of sci-fi films. The essence of space intrigues me, resonating through many of my works, reflecting a blend of interests that have shaped my artistic style. I take immense pride in constructing my 3D art with a complexity and design that invites viewers to ponder. Diving into the realm of seemingly impossible engineering and strange forms, my art challenges perceptions and brings into many interpretations. I’m on a journey to create a series, whether as a pilot that will develop into a long YouTube series or a project picked up by a studio, where I can impart my style of complex sci-fi design while creating a cool and flashy story. I think as I have developed my style while doing client work for short films or concert visuals for Bebe Rexha I have seen myself grow in and reach my goal each year. I’m also excited and challenged in the evolving landscape of animation and art, evident in the surge of popularity, from groundbreaking animation and CGI in movies like Spider-Verse and Avatar to the rise of AI art. This dynamic environment inspires and challenges me, reinforcing the importance of finding inspiration, deep diving into my passions, and creating art that is not just visually appealing but a genuine reflection of myself and interests.
My path hasn’t been a straightforward one, transitioning from crafting cool Lego renders and wondering how I would even make a name for myself to producing visuals for film and music and concert visuals for thousands. The question of defining my artistic identity has been a constant companion, evolving as I put myself out there. It’s a reflection on how I perceive myself in the current art sphere and how I value my work. The journey is a reminder that the simple prompt of finding inspiration and creating what I enjoy is both challenging and satisfying like eating good food. It’s about finishing a piece and recognizing that it is a manifestation of my unique perspective.
The lessons learned in this journey extend beyond artistic techniques, delving into the depths of self-discovery. Answering the question of what I want to create and finding joy in the process has been both simple and complex.
In essence, I want the world to understand that my art is an extension of myself. Like someone sharing a dream or a made-up story, my art is a personal expression that combines the intricate mix between my passions, inspirations, and the challenges overcome in my artistic journey. It’s not just about the final product; it’s a narrative that invites others to delve into the depths of imagination and witness the story that unfolds from within.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Houston so there is too much stuff to even do here but for me if it were to be the summer time is would pick out this breakfast place called Breakfast Klub where they sell the most divine food. However, if we are feeling something else we could always pop into HEB and get snacks wait for lunch, and drive into Houston. Those snacks would either be from Bellaire China town or Katy China town as there is a large selection of good stuff in both places. Lunch honestly could be anything mostly because I’m not that picky but if I had to choose I would go to Street to Kitchen which is a Thai food spot my friends and I usually go to or some ramen at Ichiro Sapporo. If we are feeling any other stuff over the week some good places in Post Oak sell good food or drive over to around Houston and find some good Chicken places or some BBQ which is in abundance here in Houston. If we are feeling like just hanging out and lounging or even doing some activities. I love movies so I would try to see if something was showing to watch for the evening. If the vibe is more eat and chat there is a coffee/bakery shop called Agora which is a Greek-themed. There is also a thrift shop near the shop and a few minutes away there’s an Arcade with a bunch of retro games that can be played. Some other things that I would try to do are visit the Houston Museum on a Tuesday because it is free that day and go to the Buffalo Bayou park and walk around.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First I would like to give thanks to God as he is the main reason I have been led to where I am today. I would also love to thank my mom and sister as they have given me a lot of inspiration, ideas, and encouragement over the years as well as cheering me on every milestone I hit toward success. I want to thank all the awesome clients I have created awesome visuals for and for the opportunity to shine and bring about my artistic and creative abilities. I would also love to show some appreciation to all the awesome shows and media like Steven Universe and Ninjago and movies like Pacific Rim and Transformers that have shaped how I form creations in my mind and make my art.

Website: https://www.artstation.com/sammynater

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammynaterx/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk8sIcQqYlYVPqMpJtfEGSg

Other: Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/sammynater/create-a-simple-3d-art-piece