For 33 years, my life was defined by a fast-paced executive career in healthcare oversight. I hold a Master of Arts degree, published clinical research, and was a practicing audiologist for over a decade. I know firsthand what high-stakes stress and daily "noise" can do to our nervous system.
A few years ago, I reconnected with my passion for painting. What began as a personal sanctuary to manage stress quickly transformed my overall well-being. Committing to a consistent creative practice helped me relax and eventually led to several honors, including first place in watercolor at the 44th Annual Juried Art Show in Midland, Texas.
In January 2026, I retired from my healthcare career to become a full-time artist.
Today, through Sami Cave Studio, my mission has evolved from managing noise to cultivating peace. My creative works are designed to help overwhelmed individuals slow down, breathe, and discover that peace can be painted.
In addition to original paintings, you will find collections of handcrafted items for reflection and inspiration , including prayer boxes, guided ritual kits, and inspirational card decks.
Hi, I’m Sami
Maybe you have a long-buried creative passion waiting to be nourished, too. I am grateful my mom saved my first box of pastels from the 1970's and it proves it's never too late to do what you love!
If you have questions, are interested in purchasing a painting from a local gallery, or want to bring a creative circle to your community, please contact me.
Curriculum Vitae
Gallery Representation
Art by Melody Noel Art Gallery, Edom, TX
O3 Collective Art Gallery, Edom, TX
Education & Training
Private Study & Mentorship – Nationally awarded artist Kay Smith, Big Spring, TX (2020–2022)
Watercolor & Acrylic Painting Studies – University of Washington Extension, Seattle, WA (2015–2016)
Master of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science – Washington State University, Spokane, WA (1991)
Bachelor of Arts in Speech – Washington State University, Pullman, WA (1990)
Group Exhibitions (Juried)
2026
Small Works Collection, Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art, Washington D.C. (July–Present)
2025
Bubbles and Books, Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX (January–Present)
Sour Patch Cats, Spring’s Gentle Giant, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (March–April)
Feeling Groovy (National Juried Exhibition), Gallery 130, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (February–March)
Winter Wings, Ice Guardian, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (January–February)
2024
Bubbles and Books, Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX
Crow’s Crunchy Catch, Eye of the Pond, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (November–December)
Feeling Groovy, King Hestor, Curly, Texas Rose Festival Art Show, Tyler, TX (October)
Flashy, Daisy, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (August–September)
Curly, Edom Art House and Gallery, Edom, TX (July)
Feeling Groovy Oscar, Fabulous Ferruginous, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (July)
Oscar, Venetian Fusilli, Tiffany Orzo, Fenchel Farfalle, Rose City Art Gallery, Tyler, TX (June–December)
Heron’s Ghost, Icy Cold Pillow, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (May)
Always Watching, Curly, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (March)
2023
Bubbles and Books, Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX
Winter Juried Show, West Texas Watercolor Society, Lubbock, TX
2022
Ole Tom, Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA), Lubbock, TX
2021
Breakfast Bunny, Mystic Forest, 44th Annual Juried Art Show, Midland, TX
Waterfall, Moonlight Rabbit, Santa Fe Girl, Howard College Art Show, Big Spring, TX
Big Bloom, Daisy Girl, Howard County Art Show, Big Spring, TX
Spring Elephant, It’s Raining Frogs, Howard County Spring Art Show, Big Spring, TX
Publications (Author & Illustrator)
Love In Red Thread: The Bunny That Wasn't Brown. Published by Sami Cave Studio, 2025.
Intuitive Goddess Coloring Book: Hand drawn goddesses to color with inspirational affirmations. Independently Published, 2022.
Intuitive Mandalas Coloring Book and Journal, Independently Published, 2020.
Press & Media
Beyond Words – International Magazine of Literature and Art, Issue 60 (September 2025), Berlin, Germany.. Featured Artwork: Kintsugi Heart.
Beyond Words – International Magazine of Literature and Art, Issue 39 (September 2023), Berlin, Germany. Featured Artwork: Daydreaming of Peace.
Beyond Words – International Magazine of Literature and Art, Issue 38 (July–August 2023) Berlin, Germany. Featured Artwork: Santa Fe Girl.
Awards & Honors
Bronze Award, Jack Rabbit, Fins, Feathers & Fur Exhibition, J. Mane Gallery, Voorhees, NJ (2023)
1st Place (Watercolor), Breakfast Bunny, 44th Annual Juried Art Show, Midland, TX (2021)
1st Place (Oil), Waterfall, Howard College Juried Art Show, Big Spring, TX (2021)
2nd Place (Mixed Media), Moonlight Rabbit, Howard College Juried Art Show, Big Spring, TX (2021)
2nd Place (Mixed Media), Spring Elephant, Howard County Spring Art Show, Big Spring, TX (2021)
Commissioned Private Collections
The Peace, Memphis, TX (2026)
Grover, New Orleans, LA (2026)
Serenity, Milwaukee, WI (2025)
Climbing, San Antonio, TX (2025)
Miss B, Rockville, MD (2024)
Hammy, Albuquerque, NM (2023)
Professional Affiliations
Palette of Roses Art League, Tyler, TX (2023–Present)
West Texas Watercolor Society, Lubbock, TX (2022–2024)
Midland Arts Association, Midland, TX (2021–2023)
Big Spring Artists Association, Big Spring, TX – Served as Secretary (2020–2022)
Professional Experience
Visual Artist, Author, & Educator — Sami Cave Studio / Spiritual Discovery School with Sami LLC, Chandler, TX (2020–Present; Full-Time Studio Practice 2026–Present)
Studio Practice: Create and market original paintings in acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media with a focus on sacred, nature-inspired and whimsical themes. Maintain an active national exhibition schedule in juried group shows and commercial galleries.
Creative Publishing: Formally write, illustrate, and independently publish literature and art goods, including the children's book Love In Red Thread (2025) and Intuitive Goddess Coloring Book (2022).
Art Education & Business Operations: Manage all operational and financial structures of an active arts LLC.
Healthcare Executive & Director — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General / Health Care System (1993–2026; Retired January 2026)
Executive Operations & Business Management: Directed national multi-disciplinary inspection teams and oversaw large-scale programmatic operations, compliance, and performance metrics across complex environments. Managed a $2.9M contracting program and successfully launched a $2.7M outpatient facility.
High-Stakes Communications & Media Relations: Expert in top-tier stakeholder engagement, public speaking, and public relations, including delivering formal briefings to senior executives, congressional committees, and testifying before the U.S. Senate.
Leadership & Advocacy: Appointed as national co-chair for clinical system redesigns and developed regional professional standards boards. Recipient of prestigious public service awards, including the federal Glenn/Roth Award (2022).