Scott Clendaniel
March, 2007
Medium
Oil
First Friday Reception
Friday, March 2, 5:30 - 8 PM
Artist Statement
I have been trained in the traditional arts of oil painting, sculpture, and graphic design. In my personal and on the job studies, I have picked up the trade of photography. In the last year I have emerged from commercial art to fine art primarily. I work in oil paint and photography depicting the beauty of humanity and nature.
I am one who is constantly amazed by the world around me; this is especially true because of the state I live in, Alaska. I try my best to portray my vision of the world to the viewer, to let them step out of their mundane life and see things the way I do with fresh eyes. I am an optimist, and I attempt to share my optimism through my art. When I hang paintings on the wall, I hope to create a space that has impact on the people present. I always create pieces with the intent to uplift the soul, or at least prevent boredom of the viewer.
It is important to document the world as it is ever changing. The Iditarod paintings are important because they show the history of the Iditarod start from last year. With ever changing climate, political and social trends the Iditarod may change over the years to be something entirely different from what it is today. I am proud that I took the time to paint these six Iditarod paintings to show the energy that was in the air at the Iditarod start of 2006.
I try to stimulate the mind of the viewer. Either by showing a dichotomy or something that will start new thought processes, even if it is as simple as a comedic piece like, Cabin Fever, or the contrasting colors of the lights on the Koot’s Windmills. I get a thrill when I see that I have an effect on people. It is a wonderful thing when somebody stops and takes a second look at the wall because interesting art is there.
When I work, I strive for positivistic results. We are surrounded by news of horrible events of war, murder and natural disasters. I struggle to create art that the people viewing will not have negative thoughts but turn their minds to those of beauty. I want to make paintings people want to hang because they improve the space in which they hang. I want to get smiles from people not used to smiling, when I see those worry wrinkles disappear for even a brief second I feel like I have succeeded.
Additional Works
