Issue 7 Artist Spotlight | Deborah Scott

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Deborah!

DS: I'm invested full-time to my art, complemented by one day a week working with students in a painting and drawing atelier. While I enjoy the solitude of my studio, I also welcome the connections and vibrant creative energy of my students. Additionally, as a figurative painter, I find endless inspiration in the narratives and experiences of those around me.
Some are surprised to learn that I came to art late. I left a successful career managing multinational businesses and brands like Cheerios and Amazon to pursue my passion for art. The first time I ever purchased a sketchbook, let alone art supplies, was in mid-life. Learning classical drawing and painting skills was an arduous and humbling challenge that served me well. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My art would not be what it is today without everything that came before it in my life.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

DS: In my work, chaos and disruption have always played a significant role, mirroring my perception of life as inherently messy and unpredictable. Life throws curveballs beyond our control, and it boils down to how we handle them. After a hiatus from painting, a necessary pause to support my family, I initially aimed to eliminate tears, rips, and distress from my art, thinking it would signify a mature move forward. However, I quickly realized the opposite was true. Stripping away chaos and uncontrolled elements rendered my work dull and disconnected from my reality. I thrive on problem-solving and navigating my way through a mess, much like life itself. Pursuing realism solely for the sake of realism seemed like a futile endeavor. After all, what goes onto the canvas is just paint, a new slice of reality. This perspective resonates with the increasing shortness of our attention spans and the rapid expansion of AI into new territories, creating a muddle between artificial constructs and reality. In my art and in the world of technology, the attempt to mirror reality too closely throws doubt on authenticity. Embracing the unpredictable allows for a more genuine representation of the complexities that make life and art truly interesting.

C+B: Describe how you work through a creative block, or period where it's difficult for you to produce work.

DS: Fortunately, I haven't encountered creative block. Instead, my challenge lies in grappling with the finite nature of time. There will never be enough days in my life to create all the paintings I want to create. My art emerges from me with a force or involuntary urgency. At the risk of being crude, it feels a bit like vomiting. My artistic ideas are a visceral expression, propelled by an inner force, akin to a reflex. It is with temperance that I can paint these ideas to my liking.
I'm profoundly grateful for the ability to translate my thoughts into tangible art. It's a privilege I never wish to take for granted. My classical painting skills allow me to give form to my ideas, transforming them into visual expressions. This ability to express myself creatively is a luxury—one I acknowledge with deep appreciation and gratitude.

C+B: Imagine it's 2075. What do you hope your work is remembered and recognized for?

DS: Embracing the present moment has become my mantra, more so than ever after the recent loss of the love of my life. I live every day knowing that life is short and fleeting, a profound realization gifted by grief. As an artist, my focus remains on creation and sharing. I have no illusions of control over reception, influence, or remembrance. Being an artist means crafting something deeply personal, trusting it may resonate universally, eliciting a response. Focusing on how my work will ultimately be perceived and remembered would be an unfortunate distracting effort - detrimental to my life and my work.

Find and support Deborah here:

IG: @deborahscottart
Website: deborahscottart.com

(Consumption of Innocence, 60in x 36in, oil and mixed media on canvas,
©Deborah Scott)

My ideal creative workspace: My week revolves around 3-5 days spent immersed in the studio. When I'm in work mode, I deliberately eliminate distractions – no texting, no calls, no social media, etc. Some artists have beautifully appointed studios, with comfortable furniture, beautiful northern light, freshly cut flowers and a beloved pet curled up in the corner. My studio is the opposite. It mirrors my intentional minimalism; the sole focus is the canvas on my easel. My workflow involves intense 20-minute work blocks followed by brief breaks. Stepping out of the studio, attending to messages, grabbing a snack, and scheduling time with family and friends rejuvenates me. I've identified my optimal focus span at 15-20 minutes; surpassing that threshold leads to fussiness and overworking. This approach aligns seamlessly with my personality. It's a delicate dance between complete immersion and stepping back for a broader perspective, perfectly attuned to my style.

Something I’ve learned as a creator that I would pass on to others: Work hard. Trust yourself. You are not for everyone, and your work will not be for everyone. But it will speak meaningfully to some.

If I could share a coffee with any creator, past or present: I don’t think I could select just one. My choices would span different artistic realms: Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Baz Luhrmann, or Vincent van Gogh. Despite their diverse fields, they share a profound commitment to self-expression and authenticity, laying bare their innermost thoughts and emotions through their respective art forms. Engaging in dialogue with these influential creatives would offer invaluable insights into their creative processes and the challenges they faced.
Whether delving into Cobain's introspective lyrics, Joplin's soulful performances, Luhrmann's visually stunning films, or van Gogh's emotionally charged paintings, each artist's work speaks volumes about their dedication to their craft. A coffee conversation would undoubtedly uncover the motivations behind their art, the struggles they encountered, and the transformative power of their creative endeavors.

A negative experience and how I moved past it: I jumped right into the deep end by attending a full-time contemporary painting and drawing atelier with essentially no art background, which was atypical of the program's students. The initial feedback on my first project was brutally honest, with the instructor expressing that my presence in the program was precarious. Rather than feeling hurt by the criticism, I accepted it as a harsh but accurate assessment. I used it to fuel my determination.
In response, I created an improvement plan for myself on top of my regular instruction. During a month-long winter break when the other students were away rejuvenating, I dedicated myself to full-day sessions, working with unwavering intensity and initiating a new drawing every 20 minutes.
The negative comment served as a catalyst, motivating me to challenge my limits and measure my progress within a condensed timeframe. By the time my peers returned from the break, I felt I had not only caught up but had also gained the confidence to move forward with renewed assurance in my artistic journey