We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Scott Garrette. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Scott below.
Scott, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Making art has been a passion of mine since High School in the early 1990’s and since then I’ve been through many phases of low and high creative output. August of 2013 marked the beginning of a new phase in my creative journey where I decided to create endlessly, or as much as I could. I’ve have a full-time job during this period that helps to fund my passion for making things and everyday after work I create. In May of 2019 I decided to take a risk and invest in myself by renting studio space so I could create more easily and to separate my living space from the smells and mess of the creative space. This risk has allowed me to explore many ideas, has given me many opportunities, and is still teaching me and helping me grow as an artist. I haven’t “made it big”, or had great success selling, but I have learned a lot about patience, persistence, and have really enjoyed the development of my creativity. Being an artist and working a full-time job has forced me to look at my expectations and reconsider unrealistic timelines that I set for myself. My goal is to make a lot of money selling my art and travel all over the world with exhibitions in galleries and museums. I’ve been able to develop large series of paintings and sculptures by taking the risk of paying for an extra space to create my artwork. My art studio space has allowed me to create a large catalog of different styles and ideas that I can pull from to develop into a specific gallery exhibition, or individual commissions. Has the risk paid off? Yes, it has, in so many ways and it continues to pay off as I’m able to pull from my large collection of finished pieces and place them throughout local businesses and galleries. I’m currently working with local business owners on a large project at a new restaurant they are opening soon and will have pieces installed that can be sold and I’ll then make another to replace them. I’m determined to create until I can’t, and even then, I will create.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Artist from Kansas City, studied at Baker University (’94-’98), and moved to New York in 2008. Focused on mostly abstract painting and functional pottery in school. Started a pottery business with a friend just out of college while continuing to paint. Designed and built a “Straw Bale” art studio in Lawrence, KS (2002-2006). Exhibited work in Kansas City, MO.- Baldwin City, KS.- Lawrence, KS.- Beacon, NY. – NYC – Mahopac, NY, Peekskill, NY, Carmel, NY.
Creativity is my lifelong passion, exploring ideas and materials and looking at ordinary things differently.
It’s empowering, and a little frightening at times to realize that our decisions can create our lives just as they create artwork. Every decision is like a brushstroke across a blank canvas creating our view of the world we live in. We have control, we have the choice to decide if we are happy or upset at any moment… though it’s not always easy to control due to impulse.
My artwork takes on a life of its own from the very beginning, like our children… and like us. I can guide, teach, protect, and hold onto, but ultimately the future becomes their own, becomes our own. Pieces are created as a foundation for each viewer to build a personal meaning from their own life’s experience, and the titles act as a guide, or starting point for the story that will be told by the viewer.
I’m inspired by the beauty in the everyday, it’s everywhere if I take the time to look, or see it. I’ve explored many mediums, including pottery, stained-glass, and photography but I find my home in drawing and painting.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
NFT’s have fascinated me since I first heard about the Beeple NFT auction at Christie’s in 2021. I’ve had many ideas for how I’d like to use them to build my brand as an artist, and how they could allow my fans/followers to engage with me and my future exhibitions. They are a great way to prove ownership and I think it’s cool to think about there being a record of all of the different owners. Now, I just need more time so I can do it all!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
There are many rewarding aspects of being an artist. I get to have exciting new artwork on my walls and get to change my personal gallery anytime I want. Boredom is not something I suffer from because I always have a new idea to work out, or a new venue that needs new paintings. The greatest reward of being creative is seeing beauty in everything. I think it creates a mentality of gratitude, because I’m so thankful so experience all of the beauty everyday.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Artist from Kansas City, studied at Baker University (’94-’98), and moved to New York in 2008. Focused on mostly abstract painting and functional pottery in school. Started a pottery business with a friend just out of college while continuing to paint. Designed and built a “Straw Bale” art studio in Lawrence, KS (2002-2006). Exhibited work in Kansas City, MO.- Baldwin City, KS.- Lawrence, KS.- Beacon, NY. – NYC – Mahopac, NY, Peekskill, NY, Carmel, NY.
Creativity is my lifelong passion, exploring ideas and materials and looking at ordinary things differently.
It’s empowering, and a little frightening at times to realize that our decisions can create our lives just as they create artwork. Every decision is like a brushstroke across a blank canvas creating our view of the world we live in. We have control, we have the choice to decide if we are happy or upset at any moment… though it’s not always easy to control due to impulse.
My artwork takes on a life of its own from the very beginning, like our children… and like us. I can guide, teach, protect, and hold onto, but ultimately the future becomes their own, becomes our own. Pieces are created as a foundation for each viewer to build a personal meaning from their own life’s experience, and the titles act as a guide, or starting point for the story that will be told by the viewer.
I’m inspired by the beauty in the everyday, it’s everywhere if I take the time to look, or see it. I’ve explored many mediums, including pottery, stained-glass, and photography but I find my home in drawing and painting.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
NFT’s have fascinated me since I first heard about the Beeple NFT auction at Christie’s in 2021. I’ve had many ideas for how I’d like to use them to build my brand as an artist, and how they could allow my fans/followers to engage with me and my future exhibitions. They are a great way to prove ownership and I think it’s cool to think about there being a record of all of the different owners. Now, I just need more time so I can do it all!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
There are many rewarding aspects of being an artist. I get to have exciting new artwork on my walls and get to change my personal gallery anytime I want. Boredom is not something I suffer from because I always have a new idea to work out, or a new venue that needs new paintings. The greatest reward of being creative is seeing beauty in everything. I think it creates a mentality of gratitude, because I’m so thankful so experience all of the beauty everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scottgarrette.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottgarrettestudio/