Learning More About COCA Artist Valerie Scott

Valerie Scott is an Abstract Expressionist painter who lives and works in San Francisco. She's inspired by the contemporary masters Jasper Johns, Francis Bacon, Gerhard Richter, Richard Diebenkorn, Willem de Kooning, and Chuck Close. These artists' works and philosophies have helped shape her into the painter that she is today.

Her creative process is ever evolving and reflective of her life thus far. Her abstractions convey emotional highs and lows as well as keen observations on the human experience. She often communicates nuance through color and texture, and she's found that the small wonders of daily life propel her to continually experiment with her process while bringing further works to completion.

Raised in Los Angeles but currently residing in San Francisco, she also contemplates the often tension-filled relationship between nature and urbanity. Valerie's studio is in Soma – a throbbing, urban enclave within the city – and it is here that she continues to develop her body of work.

What is your primary medium and process? 

Acrylic, textured paintings on canvas and wood. Playing with different shapes and mediums(ie. matte, gel, pumice stone, sand, paper, varnish, resin) to bring a 2-D painting with heavy texture and carvings into the surface to almost a 3-D feeling.

How long have you been painting?

Since the early 1970's- high school and college was the start of my real interest in painting, thanks to excellent professors.

 

How do you describe your style?

 

Abstract Expressionism 

 

What inspires you to keep motivated? 

 

The excitement of creating pieces with texture and paint that takes me on a journey of joy. Every painting has an experimental process which excites me.  

 

What is your favorite part about being an artist? 

 

The shear enjoyment of creating a work of art that one can contemplate for many years to come. The process of starting and bringing a piece to completion is the very definition of happiness to me.  The artist community that I totally feel empowered by keeps me going forward. 

 

Who are your favorite artists past or present? 

 

Richard Diebenkorn, Jasper Johns, Chuck Close, Gerhard Richter, Francis Bacon to name just a few.

See more of Valerie's work on her website and at numerous local galleries and art venues in the San Francisco Bay Area. Be sure to like COCA on Facebook for updates about the latest events of artist members.