There’s an undeniable freshness to Scott Young’s illustrations and paintings. Dipped in ’90s aesthetics, his art has an ironic edge to it, but without being too on-the-nose-nostalgic.
Originally from Olympia, Washington, Young is now based in New York City, at the very center of contemporary creation. “A typical weekend is full of as much art making as possible,” he remarked in an interview with the Urban Outfitters blog. His work also includes producing limited-edition apparel and tote bags, with his illustrations stamped across them.
“I sketch a lot of ideas out as I go and usually make endless drafts before starting a painting,” says Young, relaying the amount of effort that goes into each of his pieces.“I’m always sort of rebelling against what I’ve done before,” he admits, adding that he doesn’t want to “make the same thing over and over again.”
Amongst his more original creations are reinterpretations of astrological symbols and flowers painted on top of a bag of Doritos. “The potential for what art can do is limitless,” he stresses. “One of my biggest take always is the amazing experience of being able to visualize something in my mind and then set down to actualize it. We all have that ability. Once we start to learn and work with it the world really does start to open it.”
Perhaps… But, at least for some of us, the process of artistic creation comes more naturally.
