Jeffery Scott : Photographer, Sculptor, Painter

Where do you get ideas and inspiration for your imagery?
I go out and drive on the freeways. I go to the grocery store. Walk around out on the street. Watch how people interact with one another. I listen to their truths.....to their lies. I watch them and listen to their stories.................about how they treat others...........how they treat themselves. I see how we want our world to be......and then see what we do to it. So...............I get my ideas and inspiration for my imagery from the world around us. I just watch and listen.

How is the creative process for creating sculpture different from taking a photo or painting?
It's no different. I use my eyes. My brain. My hands. All of them are the same. It's like playing chess...................always think at least several moves ahead.

What did you do at Gentle Giant Studios, and what were some of your favorite projects there?
I was one of the lead clay sculptors there. I specialized in sculpting the more limited edition collectables and fine art pieces there. I am a big Matrix fan....so I would have to say the Matrix busts that we did. I designed those things from the ground up. I was given a lot of creative freedom, so I would have to say those. I also really enjoyed doing a bronze of one of Frank Frazetta's paintings. Darkhorse comics has that one available. It turned out really nice. That was great because of the challenge. I saw the painting. I am given only one angle. I had to fill in all the blanks, so to speak, to accomplish it from ALL angles. I really had to tune in to Franks work. I tried to understand how he works, to the best of my abilities. It still had to look like his work from all of the angles that you do NOT see presented in the painting. Wasn't an easy task..............But it sure was fun!

You've worked on a variety of projects including CD and book covers, ads, fashion and fine art. What kind of projects still get you excited?
Oh that's easy! The fine art! I am completely on my own. Completely only answerable to myself. If anything goes wrong......I am the only one to blame. No one else stands in the way of the creative process. First off.......I don't pay my models. They work with me because they want to work with me. They have seen my work and familiarize themselves with it. They want to be part of it. That is the only incentive for them. This way, I know that I have someone involved that is truly committed to the art. They want to be a part of my personal, creative process. Wow! What a compliment that is! That is one of the more rewarding aspects to this whole thing for me. They let me be what I am. They let me do what I do. They let me say what I want say through them. They offer themselves up for that. That brings a great dynamic to the work. You can't BUY that! It's something that must be given. They bring a beauty and warmth to some otherwise harsh and disturbing images. There's that contrast thing again (laughs)! It's like a dance. We work together. It's very personal to me. I open myself up to them....and they to me. And out of that union comes some (hopefully) splendid images. The women and men that I work with inspire me to no end. They are, simply put, some of the best things in my life. Now THAT gets me excited!

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