Scott Owen

While pursuing fine art at the University of Montevallo, he began an apprenticeship to a sign maker, in nearby Birmingham, Alabama. This led to Scott seeking out the finest sign artisans in America and learning all he could from them. Scott strived to learn all there was to know about the art of sign making from the communicative arts, typography, composition, balance to the art of gold leaf, glass etching and wood carving. He followed well known craftsman across the country seeking knowledge and developing skills as well his own personal style. His work has led to articles in international publications and numerous awards.

After many years and successes as a sign artist… new technologies and customer expectations, began to leave him un-inspired. In 2009, he picked up a brush, paint and canvas and found the freedom he craved. Owens’ time since picking up his brushes to begin creating his art has not been wasted, he is remarkably prolific. Sometimes creating many small pieces of art a day. His talent is pure, but his work ethic makes him stand out. He uses line and balance mixed with simple bold color choices to create works that rival the mid century expressionist like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, but also has the ability to transform line into recognizable but abstracted shape much like Picasso did in his later years.

Owen makes it look easy, but its the combination of years designing and engineering one of a kind commercial pieces that make him so strong.. he may have shown up late to the “ art world” but he brings all the equipment and knows how to use it. “I love working on something without knowing the outcome, I sometimes bring a drawing or idea to the piece I am going to make but it never ends there.. I always see the holes in the drawing after the process begins.. I work with it until they are part of the painting or I have given them new meaning.”

This is not a man who thoughtfully “sits and paints,” he builds and stretches his own canvases, some that are 8-9 feet tall. He will often paint publicly with some local bands, creating stunning works of art in just a few hours while an audience watches. He is a physical man, whose time away from his studio is spent with his wife working on their farm. His hands are strong and rough like a carpenter , not someone who you would think of as a painter. His work is full of physical energy that he pours out onto each canvas. He sometimes paints in the floor, attacking each piece from a different angle, always looking for the next visual opponent, even his drawings are made while he stands and uses his entire body to move sticks and squeegees through each piece.

Owen will use just about anything to manipulate paint such as stir sticks, pieces of cardboard and pieces of plastic, which are used to spread and manipulate his paint. He uses spray paint and a commercial sprayer to apply paint then whimsically over works his canvases with smaller tools to create line and form. He has pioneered his own approaches to creating art. His use of tools is unique and exciting. Much like his design career, his passion and skill for fine art has taken off. His work is in collections from Bakersfield to Boston. He has been in numerous juried shows, winning awards, but most of all feeding his passion for art.

“I never stop exploring … It is in the evolution of the work where it happens for me. The process is physical and emotional. My tools are all around me. I take a trip to an unknown destination. I let go and create… I enjoy my work, and my journey as a contemporary artist.”

– Scott Owen