After training as a costume designer at Wimbledon School of Art, Sam worked in film, theatre and opera for several years before moving into fine art and illustration.

His practice in recent years focused on narrative and folklore, eventually leading him to write a book, Gorse, a historical fantasy set in Cornwall in the 18th century.

He was signed by John Baker and Julie Gourinchas at the Bell, Lomax Morton agency in 2022, and Gorse and its sequel Ragwort was acquired by Solaris Publishing in 2023, to publish late 2024.

He has several books in the works.