The adventures of Old Sam

31 days, 31 episodes, only in October. Be the first to receive the latest episode of Oude Sam’s great adventure every day, story and illustration included. Sign up for the newsletter >

Old Sam’s adventures up till now

How Old Sam came to life

Every October, artists around the world take part in Inktober: making one ink drawing a day, using a list of prompts released in September.

I discovered Inktober halfway through October 2017 and was immediately hooked. In 2018, I joined in again. Each day, I looked at the prompt, thought about what it meant to me and made an ink drawing in a sketchbook I had bought especially for the occasion.

I wrote a few lines to go with the first drawing. Then a few more for the next. And that’s how Old Sam’s story began.

Sammetje was our black cat, who disappeared in 2015. The idea of telling his story as Old Sam had been in my mind for a few years. But I didn’t know what that story would be. It grew with each new Inktober prompt. Every day, I was just as surprised as anyone else to find out where it was heading.

That’s still how I work. The words lead the way, and as I draw and write, I discover what happens to Old Sam. When I begin, I don’t know how it will end either.

Be the first to read along in October

Would you like to be the first to receive the latest episode of Old Sam’s grand adventure every day in October? Sign up for the newsletter, and you’ll receive each day’s story and drawing in your inbox.

You can wake up to it or save it for teatime. Or let a few episodes gather and enjoy them on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

It’s lovely to have you along, whether you’re joining for the first time or returning for another adventure!

Since 2025, I’ve also been sharing the drawings from the grand adventure on Insta g ram and Facebook.

The little adventures of Old Sam & Josefien

There’s plenty going on outside October, too. Follow the little adventures of Old Sam & Josefien on Instagram and Facebook.