About

Scott West is an artist whose canvas serves as a stage for the exploration of the human psyche through the lens of animal archetypes. Through his captivating artworks, West orchestrates scenes of conflict and harmony, using animals as symbols of different aspects of the self. This thematic choice allows his work to delve deeply into the complexities of human experience, exposing inner truths and laying bare the intricacies of the human condition.

West's artistic journey is deeply intertwined with his role as a live painter and band member of Cloud Cult, an experimental indie rock band known for their environmentally conscious and emotionally rich music. During live performances with Cloud Cult, West creates vibrant, large-scale canvases in real-time, allowing the music and audience to influence his work. This practice has imbued his art with a sense of immediacy and dynamism, capturing the energy of live music and translating it into visual form.

With a deft hand and keen insight, West constructs narratives that reveal the interplay of emotion and intellect, instinct and reason, desire and restraint. His use of animal imagery invites viewers to confront their own internal conflicts and contradictions, offering a mirror through which they can explore the depths of their own consciousness. Each composition is a tapestry of emotion and symbolism, weaving together disparate elements of the self in a dance of light and shadow.

As an artist, one of Scott West's main concerns lays in the expressing of process through a layered narrative. He does this not only through painting in front of an audience, but showing process in the paintings themselves. As he builds up a piece, West leaves areas open to reveal what is underneath, acknowledging every layer of the painting. These acknowledged layers create their own narrative. They tell the story of the artist's journey through the work. Fragments of pencil lines, paint drips, and fields of under-painting are all visible in West's best work. He leaves a map to his entire process thus creating a narrative beyond the immediate subject.

In his studio pieces, Scott West focuses on creating layered narratives that reveal the process of their creation. He often leaves parts of the painting open, exposing underlying layers of pencil lines, paint drips, and under-painting. This technique not only adds depth and complexity to his work but also tells the story of the artwork's evolution, inviting viewers to trace the journey of its creation.

Beyond mere representation, West's art serves as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. By confronting the primal truths embodied by his animal subjects, viewers are challenged to face their own fears, desires, and vulnerabilities. This engagement can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. His art, which captures the dynamic passion of live music performances and the contemplative quiet of studio work, encourages self-discovery and self-acceptance, embracing the wild and untamed aspects of human nature with courage and compassion.