Art Through The Years
Career Timeline Of Sam R. Kennedy
Education
Sam began his art journey by earning a small art scholarship in high school. After going to college 2,000 miles from home, Sam jumped between majors until he discovered illustration - and from that moment on he knew that was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Sam stayed in college for four years to study illustration and how to make a living as an artist.
Throughout Sam’s career he continued to learn, still picking up new knowledge to this day.
Career Beginning
After graduating, Sam worked with various game companies to gain experience in his chosen field. During this phase he immersed himself in the fundamentals of art while also exploring 3D programs and Adobe software during the early days of digital illustration.
Ubisoft
Seven years after graduating, Sam joined Ubisoft’s marketing art department. There Sam worked in a wide range of styles, from the hyper-realism of Tom Clancy titles to the energetic, cartoony worlds of TMNT and Raving Rabbids.
Beginning to find the process
At Ubisoft, Sam developed illustration techniques and the initial version of the process he uses to this day. Through this experience Sam learned photography, photo manipulation, 3D sculpting, speed painting, conceptual design, and more.
Teaching And Authoring
One of the unexpected joys of Sam’s career came in the form of sharing what he has learned with other artists.
Sam wrote How To Become a Video Game Artist: The Insider’s Guide to Landing a Job in the Gaming World from his understanding that the illustration world changes dramatically with new softwares and industries, but the fundamentals never go out of style.
Later, Sam also had the privilege of teaching senior illustration courses at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), helping students prepare for professional careers.
Casino Work With Aristocrat
After nearly a decade of painting contemporary soldiers and military imagery, Sam was ready for new subjects and greater variety.
That opportunity arrived in Las Vegas, where he joined a start-up slot machine game studio (Gimme Games) in 2013. The company has since grown into the world’s largest and most successful production studio for slot machine games, Aristocrat, where Sam continues to work as Senior Concept Artist.
Sam continues to create large-scale key art and visual experiences for games around the world.
Nailing Down The Process
As Sam began to take on new styles of work, he expanded his already unique process to now be able to handle a variety of art styles and needs.
Sam’s distinct process and approach to creating art is detailed, thoughtful, and filled with love.
Education Continued
Throughout Sam’s life and career, he continues to learn. Sam has been a student of The Gnomon Workshop, the Illustration Master Class, CG Master Academy, Schoolism, and more.
Even as recent as 2025 Sam was again a student of Schoolism, continuing to learn and perfect his techniques.
An Amazing Fine Art Opportunity
In college, Sam visited a fine art gallery for the first time—finding inspiration from a particularly well-known artist’s work. Thirty-one years later, Sam was offered an incredible opportunity by that same famous artist’s studio: painting Spider-Man and Disney fine art.
For four wonderful years Sam created fine art with this well know fine arts studio, painting licensed works for Disney Parks, Marvel, and other beloved franchises—including artwork celebrating Disneyland's 70th Anniversary.
Fine Art Under Sam’s Name
Today Sam continues his fine art adventure under his own name, creating limited-edition fine art inspired by Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel, DC Comics, Scooby-Doo, The Powerpuff Girls, and many more.