Dani Samson, Mixed Media Artist
Biography
Dani Samson is a contemporary mixed media artist based in Los Angeles, California. She creates abstract work using a wide range of materials, including paper, fabric, found objects, scrapped artwork, paint, ink, graphite, charcoal, and wax pastel. Her textured, layered approach reflects an interest in presence and perception, exploring how mental and emotional states shape the way we experience everyday life.
She studied psychology and studio art at The Ohio State University before earning an MFA from the Columbus College of Art & Design. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in group exhibitions, including presentations at Beeler Gallery (Columbus, OH), Centre Pompidou (Paris, France), and the Helms Design Center (Los Angeles, CA). In addition to her independent studio practice, Samson has dedicated much of her career to arts education and administration, working to foster creative access and community engagement.
Statement
The moments I revisit in my creative practice are abstracted beyond immediate recognition through the addition and omission of details. With a wide range of materials, I translate my mind’s internal wanderings into expressive use of color, mark, and texture. Flattened space, repetitive marks, layered paper, and unconventional colors obscure the scene, just as intrusive thoughts disrupt our experience of the present. As viewers explore fragmented sections of color, texture, and pattern, they might catch glimpses of everyday imagery, such as a cat tucked under a blanket or a plant resting on a windowsill. Though much of the original image remains hidden in the final piece, captivating details may be found in the material itself, inviting stillness through the simple act of observation, free from the need for objective clarity.
If you are interested in purchasing my artwork, have any questions about my practice, or would like to collaborate, please email me. I’d be thrilled to hear from you.
EDUCATION
2019 MFA: Visual Art New Projects, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
Certificate of College Art Instruction, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
2015 Coursework in Art Therapy and Counseling, Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, OH (degree incomplete)
2014 BA cum laude, Psychology, minor in Studio Art, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2026 What Holds Us, Artists & Makers Studios, San Gabriel, CA.
2025 Let Go, Canyon Country Community Center, Santa Clarita, CA.
2020 The Little Things, Little Bite Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2019 Where I Live, Deconstructed, Bexley Heights Gallery, Columbus, OH.
Domesticated, Cova Cowork, Columbus, OH.
Where I Live, Gravity, Columbus, OH.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS & SELECTED PROJECTS
2026 Set Decoration (featured artist), Be My Baby, Josh Baker (dir.), Porch Dog Productions, Los Angeles, CA.
2025 Set Decoration (featured artist), Behemoth!, Tony Gilroy (dir.), Searchlight Pictures, Los Angeles, CA.
Junktion (group), Helms Design Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Set Decoration (featured artist), The Invite, Olivia Wilde (dir.), Annapurna Pictures, Los Angeles, CA.
New Forms (group), MiViDa, Los Angeles, CA.
2024 ARTventure (group), Norma Hertzog Community Center, Costa Mesa, CA.
Absolutely ABSTRACT (group), Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA.
Places / Spaces / Faces (group), L.A. GOAL, Culver City, CA.
2023 Moving Together (group), Helms Design Center, Los Angeles, CA.
2022 Mother Nature Survived It (and I Will Too) (group), Helms Design Center, Los Angeles, CA.
2020 Dust: The Plates of the Present (group), Centre Pompidou, Paris, France.
2019 Replacing the Sun? (group), Beeler Gallery, Columbus, OH.
NOT another ART show (group), Moxie's, Columbus, OH.
Young Hearts 8 (group), Sean Christopher Gallery, Columbus, OH.
2018 SOFA CONNECT (group), Navy Pier, Chicago, IL.
5th Annual Art Show: Illuminate the Arts and Sciences (group), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
CHROMA (group), Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH.
Young Hearts 7 (group), Sean Christopher Gallery, Columbus, OH.
2017 Fixate (group), Shadowbox Live, Columbus, OH.
4th Annual Art Show: Illuminate the Arts and Sciences (group), Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
#wildartcolumbus (group), Wild Goose Creative, Columbus, OH.
AWARDS
2024 Distinguished Award for Mixed Media, ARTventure, City of Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa, CA.
2019 Finalist, Kroger Art Project | Building Community Through Art, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Reynoldsburg,
OH.
Best of Show, Young Hearts 8, Sean Christopher Gallery, Columbus, OH.
PRINT MEDIA
2020 Ebner, F., Fougeirol, T., & Tang, J. (Eds.), DUST: The Plates of the Present, Spector Books, 2020
2015 "Focus," Inscape 47, 2015.
PRESS
2025 “‘Let Go’ art exhibit on display at Canyon Country Community Center,” The Signal, December 18.
“Explore ‘Let Go’ at The Canyon Country Community Center,” City of Santa Clarita, December 4.
2024 “ARTventure 2024 - Dani Samson, Mixed Media,” City of Costa Mesa, December 18.
“Episode 16: Dani Michaux Samson on Connecting to Your Why,” Notes With Friends, May 20.
“La Poré shares visuals for his new single ‘Wasted Love’,” Earmilk, March 29.
2023 “Meet Dani Samson,” CanvasRebel, June 22, 2023.
2022 “Check Out Dani Michaux Samson’s Story,” VoyageLA, August 8.
2021 “The Little Things,” Little Bite Gallery, June.
2019 “Art Spotlight: ‘Young Hearts’ Juried Exhibition,” Short North Arts District, February 4.