Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Kane.
Sam, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My journey to becoming a hairstylist was set in stone in 8th grade. I can’t recall a specific event that made up my mind, I just knew. I wanted to do hair and I wanted to open my own salon.
The boring details are I graduated high school and was steered away from going to cosmetology school post-graduation. So, I was swayed to go to a four-year college because “I’ll have something to fall back on if I don’t want to do hair”. I was pissed because I knew deep down I wanted to do hair but part of me was wondering if my family was right. So, I agreed to apply to one college. If I got in, I would agree to try it. I was accepted and graduated in 4 years. I majored in business management with a minor in psychology, knowing these two things would help me in the hair industry.
With in 2 months of graduating from college, I packed my stuff again and moved to Providence to attend hair school. I think of the cosmetology program as my version of grad school. I now had more loans and a rent to pay. I was in school 40 hours a week and waitressed 30 hours a week on top of that so I could pay rent and my loans. I somehow managed to ultimately dedicate 70 hours a week working my butt off for 30 hours a week pay. I look back and wonder how I ever did it, but I was determined to become a hair stylist.
My 8th grade dream to graduate hair school, move to Providence, attend Toni and Guy, and move to Boston to get my ideal salon job was all happening. Here I am, 8 years later, my manifestations a reality.
The next chapter awaits.
We’d love to hear more about your work. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I like to identify as a craft hairstylist. A term created by a hair community specifically for hairdressers that truly believe hair is an art form and treat it with such respect.
When I get behind my chair, I am given the trust to create something customized for my client. They trust my expertise. my creativity, my suggestions, and my vision. My job creating haircuts extends beyond the physical aspect of slowly snipping away hair strands and reforming them into a new look. I build trust and personal relationships with my clients. My chair is a safe space for clients to open up and share whatever they feel fit. I think it’s one of the most rewarding jobs. It’s an incredibly balanced relationship of trust, friendship, and creativity. Haircuts are intricate and personal. They are first impressions, they are life-changing, they are art.
Being a hairstylist is a wild ride and one I would never trade for anything else. I burn the candle at both ends week after week because I actually love it. I love creating with my hands and helping other humans laugh and gain confidence.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
The conditions in which an artist performs varies greatly. Speaking for hair stylists only, I think salon environments have a lot of negativity involved. There’s a lot of pressure and a lot of personalities all in one room, every day. It doesn’t always create a laid-back atmosphere needed to create. I can’t speak for all of the artists in this industry, but based on my personal experience being in the salon isn’t easy and isn’t always fun. We now battle with filters and over editing on social media where we are in competition with unrealistic results that clients want because of a photo they saw on Pinterest or Instagram.
Life behind the chair can be full of pressure and stress yet it’s the most incredible job. Giving confidence and happiness while lending a listening ear with no judgment, on your feet 40 hours a week with no paid vacation but actually loving what you do is rare. I wouldn’t trade it for any other job, it’s priceless
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have an Instagram dedicated to hair only posts. I specialize in hair cutting. I love cutting all types of hair, for all genders. Curly, straight, barbered looks, long hair, short bangs, razored cuts, etc. I have a special admiration for all haircuts above the shoulders because these styles take a little extra TLC and leave little room for imperfections. I have found that clients struggle to find someone who specializes in short hair. You can see my work on Instagram @samkanehair.
The best way to support a hairstylist is by referrals and word of mouth recommendations. We can’t make a living if our chairs aren’t full, so being busy is how we pay our bills.
Contact Info:
- Email: samkanehair@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/samkanehair
Image Credit:
Silvers and Bynes
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