About

Heartless Twyla (Twyla Sampaco) is a queer Filipina-American photographer and self-published author based in Seattle, WA. Preferring old, gifted, and novelty film cameras, she makes the most of faulty shutters and ambient light; reprocessing unresolved trauma with the romance of plastic lenses, leaking light seals, and inconsistent film advance mechanisms. Her intensive analog photography process gives her something tangible to do with her hands, and creative latitude for expressing emotional truth. Her photographs have been exhibited at Vermillion Gallery, Seattle (2021); A-Gallery, Seattle (2023); Mutiny Gallery, Seattle (2022); the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, Seattle (2020); and the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA (2019).

Twyla graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in Material Science & Engineering and a certificate in Program Management. In 2021, she self-published her first book, "Technicolor Nightmare", a photo memoir about surviving bipolar disorder in her twenties. In 2023, she published two other books, “Monochrome Daydream”, and “Fragile; not like a Flower. ” Twyla’s current projects are surviving bipolar disorder in her thirties, and completing her fourth book. She is a resident artist at Blue Cone Studios in Capitol Hill.

If you’re interested in supporting my work and joining me on my journey, here are a few options: 

Order my first book - a photo memoir called “Technicolor Nightmare”. I wrote this photo memoir to gain clarity and closure on my trials and errors after I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in my twenties. The hardest part of my struggle was the isolation, loneliness, and lack of understanding, which is why I decided to take the leap and publish it. Kickstarter

Provide ongoing support and feedback, while gaining access to my inner world (with full photo sets and sneak peeks at future projects) by subscribing to my  Patreon. I work to cover my living expenses, but art sales and Patreon pledges provide additional resources for delivering more ambitious projects. 

Send photo supplies to support my film photography.

As an introvert who prefers one-on-one and small group interaction, I want to cultivate a vibrant and mutually inspiring patreon community, engage with art collectors, and meet folks who enjoy my art and want to support my career. Please reach out if our values and interests are in alignment!