We were lucky to catch up with Antonio Scott recently and have shared our conversation below.
Antonio, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I worked for a delivery company for twenty-one years before retiring to pursue art full-time. I have been a full-time artist for the last two years. It has been incredibly challenging, but also very freeing. I love being my own boss, being in control of how I use my time, and owning my own business.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Antonio Scott, and I am an artist in the Washington, D.C. area. I am currently affiliated with the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandra, Virginia.
I have been an artist for as long as I can remember being able to hold a pencil in my hand. Growing up I would spend endless nights drawing because I loved creating more than anything. It gave me great satisfaction seeing the results of my hard work. Moving forward – while attending Fredrick Douglass Junior High School in Washington, D. C. my art teacher saw my talent and was so impressed she recommended me to attend The Duke Ellington School for the Arts. I attended school there and had a wonderful experience meeting and learning with like-minded individuals. After high school, I started working 9-5 jobs that led me nowhere and gave me no joy. I could not see any light at the end of the tunnel. That is when I decided to go to college and continue to pursue my love for art. While working part-time, I attended school at the University of Maryland for five years before graduating with a Studio of Arts degree. I continued to work until I had enough money saved so I could strike out on my own to become a full-time artist. My vision as an artist is to create the movement, energy, and the intertwining of nature on canvas. I strive to achieve this by following my intuition of shapes, multi-tone stripes, vibrant colors, and my own technique of leaving untouched canvas to create realistic figures within my abstract surrealism.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One of the most rewarding things I have found about being an artist is having the freedom to devote all my time to my love of art. I get to choose the best times of the day to work on my dreams, learn how the art industry operates, and explore the type of artist I want to be. I am grateful to have the opportunity to live my life as an artist. I believe everything that happens to me, bad or good, helps me to have a better life.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is one of the most impactful books I have ever read. Another encouraging book is Tyler Perry’s Higher is Waiting.
Contact Info:
- Website: antonioscottfineart.com
- Instagram: @antonioscottarts