Scotian, the artist
I was born in Halifax, circa 1979. I am a visual artist currently residing in Nova Scotia. I’ve lived elsewhere.
Scavenged bit of old plywood, a messy case of unorganized oil pastels, along with a spray can of varnish, nothing extravagant going on
I have to get lost in myself sometimes, for the same reasons people abuse alcohol. I become over stressed, depressed, struggle at times to control my emotions, and even gasp for air out of anxiety. I think this is all part of the human condition. There’s nothing particularly different about me, you and I, we are the same. I am not always able to escape in my art, but when I can, it really is a place I am able to get lost in.
Work worn hands, stir through a collage of pastels, chooses colour randomly, inhales, closes eyes, exhales slowly, unattended scribbles give way
I have always been comfortable creating, it comes very natural to me. The medium and methods have changed over time, and I am sure I’ve improved over the years. I create and I make art, I believe there’s a difference. When I create something, I’m trying to bring an idea to life, there’s a plan that unfolds, control over the process, where as, when I make art, the response is more emotional, natural feeling. What I’m sharing through my pseudonym Scotian, is a mix of both.
One of my goals through this process is to create art
To design an image that stands out from it’s surroundings, grabs your attention and pulls you in. I often have a game plan before I start a piece, asking myself what I think others would like to see? I’ve lived throughout most of Atlantic Canada, the east coast is home to me, I hope this is expressed well in some of my work. Who I share company with, my personal interests, the mood I’m in, these are all factors that affect the outcome of a piece and lend themselves to the style that has emerged most dominate over time in my work.
The scribbles gather shoulder to shoulder, tight random swirls of colour, curves switch between lines, and then from the mess, the frame of an image begins to appear.