ARTIST'S STATEMENT

Artist’s Statement by Leighton Reeves Scott    

(NOTE: I also use Scott Layton as an author-name

 for books and articles to give privacy to my family.)

   

    

Artist Statement

Leighton Reeves Scott 1942-

   After completing three years of art courses in 1980 where he learned classical Schuler School methods of oil-painting, Leighton turned to his true love of abstract art with the goal of making works that exhibit different textures and gave the viewer a feeling of depth. Educated in science and the son of an architect, he has always been particularly sensitive to the properties of materials. So unique textures have been achieved by a pioneering use in the home improvement product, "Z-Ment" adhesive mortar" as an art medium. He combines it in various ways with both acrylic paints and other home improvement materials, acrylic paint, and a variety of materials embedded into the base painting while wet. Typically created with palette knives and various objects , the works are usually pleasant to look at in home decor settings while inviting the views to move closer to the surfaces which have surprisingly complex detail. Metallic paints are sometimes added after a painting has hardened, which to some suggest fires.

   While the works of Helen Frankenthaler (his favorite artist) have been described as essentially “a dialogue between drawing and color”, Leighton's works might be described as "a dialog between texture and color”. Seen from a distance, a painting may be experienced much like the field paintings and designs of the minimalists and colorists from the ’60s. But as you approach them, captivating complexities become apparent, and many gallery visitors have been unable to resist the temptation to touch them. And like Helen, he also does abstract works on paper using a variety of tools and media.
   Because of his careers at NASA and then at the Environmental Satellite Systems Program Office of NOAA, space (planets and galaxies), and environmental themes were a natural choice for his paintings. He has made more “New Planets” and "Galaxie" paintings than any other theme but has more recently been concentrating on paintings which, while abstract, are designed to bring more awareness of environmental issues to the viewer. He continues to produce works that invite the viewer to consider issues such as fracking, pollution and climate change. From a distance, they are usually pleasant-looking works that work well with modern décor. But up close, the viewer sees a much more detailed reality that hopefully will trigger a heightened awareness of the fragility of our planet!