Interview with seascape artist Scott Christensen
I heard about Scott Christensen through a friend and couldn’t wait to feature him on Design Montage. I was so thrilled when he accepted! His work is WOW, WOW, WOW! Scott’s AMAZING original ocean and seascape paintings truly capture each moment on the coastline.
You can see his love for the sand and surf in each and every painting. His amazing attention to detail creates a photo-realistic result. And what makes him even more appealing? He’s just an Aussie guy trying to make a living to support his family — doing something he loves.
While working as a road driller, Scott started painting on weekends and sometimes at 4 am in the morning before work. After a few years of this, and with new baby twins in the family, he decided to go out on his own. He completed a Fine Arts course at TAFE and hasn’t looked back since! Things weren’t always easy, but he’s persisted and just 10 years later, he’s making a name for himself across Australia and internationally.
Scott’s Brisbane studio is in the bayside suburb of Cleveland (editor’s note: moved to Redland Bay in 2013). You can purchase, commission a piece and contact Scott through his website. There is also a limited quantity of high-resolution prints available for certain pieces.
How have you got to where you are today?
Well, a lot of hard work – I weaned down my working hours in line with painting sales until I could afford (only just) to live from the income my artwork was producing. I have been living and supporting my family for 8 years now – just from my artwork – no grants or handouts, which is satisfying.
In a few words, describe yourself…
Happy, positive, hard-working and a reliable family man – that’s the good side, the bad side: Ask my wife.
What are you spending your time on at the moment?
Just finishing up the 5th commissioned piece for Sheldon College on Brisbane’s Bayside and have a waterfall commission to start which I am looking forward to.
Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?
Early start, exercise, and plenty of coffee, but the best way is going away to shoot new material and getting in the surf – you can’t beat that.
What or who inspires you?
Clean water, good weather and glassy surf conditions, salt air, and my family enjoying life.
What are you most proud of?
The fact that I turned an interest in painting into a viable income stream when few believed it was possible.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Absolutely no idea!
See more of Scott’s artwork on his shop and read more artist interviews.
