* All images used with permission. Please do not distribute without first contacting the artist.
With the ambition to become an artist, Scott studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee. In June 2000 he left with a BDes in Illustration and printmaking. Since graduating Scott has been a full time artist, working from his studio in Glasgow. Much of his time is spent traveling around the country looking for inspiration for another take on the Scottish landscape. The many lochs, glens and isles of the West coast are amongst his favorite subject matter for his vibrant and atmospheric oils. Since 2003 Scott has also been a part time lecturer at the Creative Arts Department of Reid Kerr College, Paisley.
Scott uses vivid colors in a vigorous application to represent the fast changing light conditions of the West coast of Scotland. Color use often becomes an entirely emotional response to the subject while tone can remain representational. The love he has for his native Scottish countryside is portrayed in his work through an ebullient energy with which he handles the color with palette knife and brush.
Scott describes his work by saying, “After 10 years of painting the Scottish landscape, my recent work now becomes more involved with cloud cover and its effect on light and color through both its translucent and opaque properties. Clouds are visible masses of water droplets or frozen ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere . They have the ability to refract and reflect, creating an ever changing perception of light which inspires my use of color. I am constantly referring to the paradox of a cloud’s perceived weight and its fragility and the relationship between the cool and warm colors created by it. I have become increasingly interested in catching the moment when heavy overcast clears to reveal clear blue sky, a cool color that complements the warmth it brings. While the most obvious manifestation of light refraction at this time would occur in the form of a rainbow, I will be concerned with accentuating the infinite, more subtle effects.”
Scott's inspiration comes from three main sources: Turner for atmosphere, Matisse for color and the Expressionists for their freedom of paint application.
He uses drones to fly across the Scottish landscape in order to help develop ideas for new paintings.
Scott paints transitional skies as a metaphor for light from darkness, in keeping with the overarching themes of hope and optimism.
"Naismith's vivid use of color and landscapes (particularly sunsets and the sea), along with his plays with opaqueness and lucidity, create an engulfing environment into which the viewer can immerse oneself. I find the concept of creating one's own sunset in the mind, or on canvas, and interpreting the raw pathos with color enthralling."
"Naismith's colorful, Impressionist-like paintings of the Scottish landscape are refreshingly beautiful. Love how the changing colors of the sky, from dark to light, represent hope and optimism."