Washington


1972 was a dramatic turning point for Sams.  He and Dana separated and later divorced, and he left for Seattle, Washington.

 
“If you remember, I went through a divorce four years ago where I lost or left everything behind. I had no property, no investments, no car, no job and not much to look forward to except exhibitions.”
 

In 1973, Sams worked frantically, arranging and preparing for several exhibitions as well as teaching at Highline Community College. He wrote to a friend:

“I almost killed myself with no sleep and worry over my projects.”   

In 1974, he taught at The Evergreen State College in Olympia.

 

Sams married Cynthia Tasso in 1975. They moved to Snohomish, not far from Seattle, where he set up a studio in a huge historic barn. A new phase of his art emerged.

 
 


Selections from 1972-78