Meet Scott Jeffries | artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Jeffries and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk. There is a great quote from Muhammad Ali -” He who is not courageous enough to take risk will accomplish nothing in life”

As an Artist, it has been essential for me to be consistent with the mindset that if I have an opportunity to do something which i perceive as risky, I should focus on the positive probable outcomes then get caught up in the negative. I used to be focused on the “rapid return” when in reality investing in something can pay off in the long run. I’ve done art shows and fairs where I have not sold one painting to suddenly find myself selling the same paintings weeks later because a collector met me at a show and I followed up, or someone saw me on social media and contacted me. The bottom line is that if i didn’t show up in the first place i would have missed the opportunity. The hardest part of having faith is the waiting.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My work is vibrant and joyful filled with color and energy. My work is an irreverent expression of my subconscious, an invitation to my brain and vivid imagination was manifested through years of doodles as a child to the works I am presently doing today. My work is a mirror of the person standing before it. My goal is for the person looking at one of my paintings to view it from their life experience, not mine. My philosophy is that it’s ok to paint outside the lines. I think a lot of artists are hampered by perfectionism. I don’t spend time worrying if something in my art may not appear “perfect” to someone else. My art is the embodiment of freedom. Freedom from worry and Judgment.

I have progressed by the momentum of the good things that have happened and by not resting on my laurels. I am grateful for the gifts and understand that the Artist life is inherently difficult. I’ve heard more than once “when are you going to get a “REAL JOB”. I am lucky that my art connects with people to a point where they are actually willing to pay money for it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
live and work in Lake Worth Beach. I love its beach town artistic vibe that hasn’t been overtaken by the development of places like Delray (which i also love!) Lake Worth has many hole in the wall type taco spots like Lupitas on Dixie Highway. You can’t go wrong. Walk up to the window at Havana in West Palm Beach for a Cuban Coffee and keep going to you hit the Norton Museum. Friday nights at the Museum are a definite. There are plenty of art galleries to be found if that’s your thing. There’s no shame in driving around Palm Beach Island to check out the Mansions. On the flip side, I’m a thrift shop fan and World Thrift is a spiritual experience. The beach is obvious.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
i am constantly inspired by Trina Slade Burks. She is the President of the No More Starving Artist Foundation. In 2018 she established this 501 (c)3. Its mission is to build the legacies for artists from Palm Beach County. The vision is to help artists in Palm Beach County be sustainable by providing opportunities and services.

She invited me to join the Board of Directors and I have seen her leadership, motivation and drive up close and personally fulfilling the mission of helping Artists grow as businesspeople, as creatives and as members of society that do service and give back.

You can see what we do here:

https://www.nmsaf.org/

Website: scottyjart.com

Instagram: @scottart

Other: @out_back_gallery

Image Credits
scott jeffries