Scott Nost

Oil Painter | Plein Air

Hello, Friends. I’m Scott, and I’m an oil painter from western New York on an epic plein air adventure.

I’m lucky to have grown up in a home where my creative and artistic pursuits were enthusiastically encouraged, but it’s only been the last decade or so that I’ve really begun to explore the nuances of oil paints and embraced the “drama” of painting outdoors.

Painting outside, on-site, allows me a chance to relive my own memories as I’m often drawn back to realm of a “Well-Spent Youth” to capture them before they are lost to time or progress.

It’s been said that “the essence of painting is making interesting marks” – so pursuing new and different tools, styles, mediums, techniques, and inspirations keeps my kit full of unique tools and interesting techniques.

I have no formal Art School training, but to call myself a “self-taught” artist would do a disservice to all the wonderful artists I’ve met along the way who have been so generous with their time, talent, tips, and tricks.

I am a Signature Artist with the Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters (GVPAP) and a Signature Member of the Rochester Art Club (RAC). I’m a charter member of Sonnenberg Garden’s Off-Color Painters, a founding board member of Railroad St. Artworks, and an active Paint Out participant with the Greater Rochester Plein Air Painters (GRPAP).

With and at the encouragement of my friends in these groups, I’ve entered competitive plein air events, been juried into art shows, won a small handful of awards, hosted workshops, taught classes, painted alongside some of my heroes, and had a few other mind-blowing experiences that Bob Ross-obsessed 9-year-old ME could never imagine.

Escaping the comfort and distractions of my studio to go paint outside in the fresh air is always my preference. Even questionable weather days never fail to reveal colors and patterns that breathe new energy into familiar scenes.

But, when the wind is a bit too high, and the temps are a bit too low, capturing precious objects and numinous trinkets in the studio affords me a rare, but welcome, opportunity to crank up the tunes and paint in my pajamas.

If my paintings shake free a forgotten memory, or nudges you outside for a fresh air adventure of your own, then maybe, just maybe, l’ve managed to do my job.