In April 2024, graffiti art prodigy Sam Cox, also known as Mr. Doodle, collaborated with the international art organization ARTOX GROUP to establish a new pop-up event at Far Eastern Department Store Xinyi A13 in Taipei. The event features a series of limited edition sculptures and merchandise by Sam Cox. Additionally, to celebrate the upcoming 520 Valentine’s Day, a special Valentine’s Day edition Minnie sculpture is available for sale at the event.
Art prodigy Sam Cox uses marker pens to bring these simple line doodles into the public eye. His works are filled with vivid imagination and childlike fun, quickly making him a star in the street art world:
“I have always loved drawing. These simple lines are the foundation of my creations. I hope to bring a sense of joy and relaxation to the audience through these works.”
“Doodling Is Like Meditation; It Helps Me Release Stress And Clear My Mind.”
Sam Cox has been passionate about drawing since childhood, and his journey into doodle art began during his early years. He recalls that he loved doodling on any surface he could find, from school textbooks to household furniture. This love for doodling gradually evolved into a way of self-expression, allowing him to find a sense of peace amidst a busy life.
Cox once mentioned in an interview, “Doodling is like meditation for me; it helps me release stress and clear my mind.”
At the age of 16 or 17, Cox officially embarked on his path as a doodle artist. Before this, he had not specifically aimed to become a doodle craftsman; he simply immersed himself in the world of doodling, enjoying the creative process. Cox’s broad creative style has always been a core reason for his popularity. While he often uses traditional canvases and prints, he is perhaps best known for his large-scale immersive paintings on walls, clothing, cars, appliances, pianos, and various other items. Cox’s creative process is meditative, as captivating as the final artwork itself. Additionally, Cox records videos of himself creating art while wearing his own designed doodle suits, garnering hundreds of thousands of views on his Instagram page.
Cox’s confidence and free-spirited creative style seem to have paid off handsomely: besides achieving remarkable success in the market, he also found a romantic and artistic soulmate in his wife, whom he calls “Mrs. Doodle.” Her companionship has made Cox more relaxed and at ease. During their wedding preparations, Cox created the “Pop Heart” series—heart-shaped prints inspired by their love, filled with colors and cartoon characters, exuding a romantic atmosphere. Inspiration flowed endlessly.
“Before I met her, most of my doodle works were in black and white,” Cox said about his wife. “Her joy and enthusiasm changed my world; her love brought color to my life, and we express this through our collaborative art pieces, with Mrs. Doodle adding the colors.”
Achieving My Dreams While Making Money.
Among his many works, two of Cox’s most representative pieces are worth mentioning: the record-breaking auction piece “Spring” and the doodle house he created at his home.
First is “Spring,” created in 2020. This piece was sold at an auction in Tokyo for 95 million yen, setting a personal auction record. “Spring” showcases Cox’s signature doodle style, created on a green background, filled with vivid lines and vibrant patterns, evoking the vitality and energy of spring.
Another piece from the “Four Seasons” series, “Summer,” was exhibited in Hong Kong in mid-February 2022 alongside Chinese paintings, ceramics, and other items.
Another representative work is the doodle house he created at his home in Tenterden. In 2020, Cox spent $1.5 million (approximately NT$47 million) to purchase his first home in Kent. Over two years, he used 2,296 markers, 401 cans of black spray paint, and 286 bottles of black paint to fill every corner of this two-story detached house with improvised hand-drawn doodles.
This work not only showcases his creative talent but also became a landmark building in the area. The doodle house attracted numerous visitors and gained widespread attention on social media. Cox stated that this project was a dream come true, allowing him to share his art with more people.
He mentioned in an interview that the most challenging part of doodling the entire house was the ceiling, as it caused significant neck and back pain. Although he sometimes could only find minimal time to doodle his own home, leading to a much later completion date than expected, he thoroughly enjoyed the process and even felt a reluctance to finish.
His parents’ lack of restrictions was the starting point for Mr. Doodle’s artistic creation. He once expressed on Instagram, “I want to thank my mom and dad because everything started when they let me draw on the walls of my bedroom as a child.”
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