"…I think I paint bittersweet fictions. I don’t believe the imagery I paint exists. I am not so removed from the world that I think it is pleasant out there. I think it is close to awful. We are walking towards extinction. So, why wouldn’t I paint the Garden of Eden or something pleasurable? What am I going to gain, spiritually or emotionally, from painting something miserable? I would much rather live in a fantasy world. I want a kindness in the painting. I want there to be an emotional ease. Generally, I don’t feel that in life, so I want it to exist in the paintings.” - Bill Scott
Bill Scott is celebrated for his radiant and luminous artwork, achieved through masterful techniques and subtle paint applications. His paintings and works on paper exhibit a captivating play of opacity and transparency, with blocks of color interwoven with linear forms. Notably, his prints showcase this quality, presenting shallow surfaces that harmoniously layer distinct components.
As an expert colorist, Scott draws inspiration from nature and imagination, blurring the boundaries between abstraction and representation. His canvases overflow with vibrant renderings of flora and fauna, offering glimpses into idealized gardens and evoking feelings tied to changing seasons. His art is associative, with titles hinting at sources of inspiration without revealing them entirely.
Recently, Scott's works have evolved, incorporating a darker ground while maintaining uplifting tones, infusing his art with a mature soulfulness. Influenced by painters Jane Piper and Joan Mitchell and educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, his artistic journey has been richly informed.
Scott's artwork has graced prestigious museum exhibitions and earned a place in major collections, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Delaware Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute Museum of Art, and Woodmere Art Museum. Recognized for his achievements, Scott was honored with the Distinguished Alumni award from the Pennsylvania Academy in 2006.