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Scott Upton

Upton’s work is an abstraction of specific events and subject matter derived from his own life. Using bold color, he expresses himself forcefully. Metal leaf enhances the texture and emphasizes his working process of scaring and tearing away to reveal what is hidden beneath.
“My work has always been about color and light. Its’ effect on our emotions, how it inspires passion, offers peace, feeds the soul, calms the mind.

I take what I see in nature and the landscape. Painting the effects of light, light creates, light also destroys. In nature there is order and beauty, there is also chaos. In most of my work I focus on the brilliance of nature along with hints of decay. It’s how we survive life, to focus on hope and beauty as the destruction and chaos goes on around us in our daily lives.

Abstract fields of rich colors, layers upon layers of transparent glazes add depth and mystery. Scraping and scarring give the effect of change, time and weather. The play of light, to the glow of a sunset, is important in my work. To get to that emotional impact that color and light has on us.

At times my work gets complicated, color on color in a composition of metal leaf and texture. To tranquil times of quite washes pushed back with opaque layers of paint. Closing away everything else on the canvas, except spots of color, to remind you that there is more going on than just what is on the surface. Creating a calm moment to reflect on what has been hidden from view.”

When I begin a painting, I have an idea of what I am going for and I work fast and strong. As the painting evolves, I pull back and let the direction of the painting determine the out come. By giving way to the painting, it stays fresh and responsive.
--Scott Upton

Scott Upton’s work evokes something of Rothko, of Turner and, at times, a hint of Joseph Albers while remaining identifiably himself. His surfaces alone prove that Upton is a visual gourmand, providing unstinting delight for the senses. –Thomas Deans


Selected Collections
The Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, GA
O’Hare Hilton, Chicago, IL
Amelia Island Plantation, FL
The Breakers, Palm Beach FL
Hyatt Regency, Aruba
Eastman, Kingsport, TN
Lil’ Bow Wow, Atlanta GA
Arthur Blank Foundation, Atlanta GA
Crescent Capital Investments
Four Seasons Hotel, Atlanta GA
Armada Investment Group, Atlanta
Progress Energy, Corporate Collection, Durham NC
Source One Marketing, Atlanta GA
Northside Hospital, Atlanta GA
Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC
The Georgia Dome, Atlanta GA

Upton’s work has been seen in several recent feature films including, currently,
Clint Eastwood’s “Trouble with the Curve.”