Stephanie Scott is an abstract oil painter living and working in Seattle, WA. Her vivid geometric work is made of symbolic color and hard edged shapes with a hint of gold leaf. Each painting takes a deep emotional subject, translating it into precise gradients and thoughtfully measured lines.
In 2022 Scott started the podcast, Brush Work: an audio guide for artists emerging into the creative career. Every Tuesday a new episode comes out that covers the topics of art theory, practical rituals, and engaging the creative spirit. She streams her painting work live on Twitch several times a week to an audience of collectors and art enthusiasts.
Scott has completed two residencies with the Jerusalem Studio School in Civita Castellana, Italy. Studying landscape painting at the JSS under Susan Lichtman, Anne Gale, and Israel Hershberg enabled her to begin her career as a professional abstract artist. She has earned a BFA cum laude from Cornish College of the Arts in 2012. Scott has since furthered her skills at Gage Academy by taking classes from Jeffery Simmons, Susan J Walp, and Kimberly Trowbridge.
Stephanie Scott is self represented and shows her art work at various galleries in the pacific northwest.
To learn more, enjoy an excerpt of an interview with Brittany Torres of The Social Atelier
Brittany Torres of The Social Atelier: Hey Stephanie!
Stephanie Scott: Hello!
Why do you paint?
For me, painting is life itself. My day starts with a paintbrush in hand and finishes when I put it down. I live to paint, and I paint for a living. When I'm in the studio, when I get in the flow of the work, I feel happier and confident that I am doing something worthwile. I paint to make life brighter, filled with more energy, and inspire a boundless happiness in daily life. I think the world could use a lot more of that.
When did you start painting?
As a youth, I was an equestrian who had hopes of finding a career in the equine industry. I competed at World & National level shows and spent most of my time intensely training as an athlete at Deerfield Farm in Issaquah, WA. Real creation as an artist began when I was 15 and my horse Eclipse got sick. When Eclipse became ill, I suddenly had the 3-5 rigorous hours I spent in the barn each day completely free. So I turned to art. The consistency and intense focus I learned from being a competitive athlete jump-started my creative career. I use the tools I learned with horses in my creative practice every day.
Eclipse is happy and retired, I bring him cookies every chance I get.
Do you listen to anything while you work?
I adore listening to audio books from the library and a few podcasts too. The Savvy Painter Podcast is a repeat offender in my studio. I also enjoy listening to jazz music and my favorite radio station, KEXP.
What inspired you to start painting on Twitch?
When I was first learning to paint, I watched a lot of Bob Ross. Seeing his painting practice in real time gave me the confidence to take my passion for the art work much more seriously. I also love the idea of being able to network while painting. With Twitch I can give my collectors a glimpse into the the creative process like never before, while also using a platform that is traditionally for video games in a radical new direction. I now joke I’m Abstract Bob Ross.
At the end of 2020 I was able to get into a bigger studio than the one I had previously been renting for 7 years. This gave me the literal space to paint while live streaming and I jumped at the chance. My first stream was January 17th, 2021!
Have any favorite Artists?
Currently my favorite artists are William Cummings, Augustus Vincent Tack, Zoe Frank, Antonio Lopez Garcia, Ann Gale, Rosa Bonheur, and David Schnell. All of these artist have an amazing mastery of color that I really respect and admire.
What do you do in your free time?
My hobbies include writing (anyone participating in NaNoWriMo this year?), reading fantasy fiction, traveling every chance I get, mailing postcards on Postcrossing, rollerskating, and lately becoming an amateur botanist.
Any shows coming up? What's next?
Yes! I have several shows coming up and you can always find out what I’m up to over on my news page. If you want regular updates about new shows, work for sale, and other events directly to your inbox consider subscribing to my newsletter!