Brief Artist’s Biography – My Transition from Fine Art and Commercial Sculpture into the Art of Filmmaking
In an effort to keep this post brief, I’ve included a select number of pictures to spark your interest! If you’re excited to explore more amazing artwork and discover the fascinating processes behind limited-edition sculpture castings, I invite you to visit the new page on this site! Check out the VISUAL ART PORTFOLIO page to enjoy the wonders of Moore Art.
In 1969, I proudly won my first award for art at the age of six. The thrill of the award and the joy of recognition inspired me to embark on a lifelong journey of artistic exploration, fueling my dream to “become a famous artist” as I grew older. Many believe we choose our life paths when we enter this world, and while I may not have understood that as a child, over the past forty years of striving, struggling, and persevering, I’ve come to wholeheartedly embrace this belief. Today, I view purposeful creativity as my higher calling—my ultimate reason for being here. Expressing myself through the creation of visual art feels like a natural extension of who I am.
Whether I’m creating custom art for a client, manufacturing a product for an international corporation, or using all of my skills and talents to express a powerful artistic vision from within, I always feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, doing precisely what I’m meant to be doing. Without reservation, I embrace the life of an artist, as I truly can’t imagine living any other way. As I’ve navigated through this vibrant journey in the visual arts and skilled labor industries, I have consistently prioritized the enrichment of knowledge and hands-on experience. During the 8+ years I spent in college classrooms and studios, my intention was always to remain open-minded, stay present, and soak in as much wisdom from my professors and classmates as I was able to absorb. In my younger days, during moments of uncertainty, I questioned my own motivations for pursuing my passion for creation. Despite some naysayers in the peanut gallery suggesting that I’m “… just looking for attention,” I know that isn’t the case. I’ve realized that attracting attention to artwork requires much more energy and persistence than the pleasurable act of creating it. I treasure the process of making art so much that promoting it often feels secondary. At this stage in my journey, I’ve come to understand that I study, practice, and create art as an adventurous way to explore the truth of who I am. When I’m immersed in creation, I feel more like myself than at any other time. And so, I joyfully persist.
Recently, I’ve been asked by both close friends and new acquaintances about my journey to the Savannah College of Art and Design at this timely moment in my creative exploration. I firmly believe this has been the long-term plan all along. It was by intentional design that I earned my first college degree at the Ringling College of Art and Design in 2000. My decision to apply to their BFA program in Computer Animation back in 1996 was a strategic move aimed at building momentum toward the live-action movie industry. Following the groundbreaking success of films like Jurassic Park and Independence Day, which showcased extraordinary VFX sequences, the computer animation industry was booming, and I was eager to secure my front-row seat on this exhilarating ride. While my true passion lay in creating practical SFX—such as model making, monster crafting, and lifelike animatronics—I recognized that mastering computer art would significantly enhance my transition into the movie model shop.
Life in the arts has provided me with invaluable lessons in flexibility and adaptability when faced with the unexpected. After an enriching two years in the computer animation field and witnessing the closure of the animation studio where I had been working, I enthusiastically redirected my career toward fine art sculpture production by mastering the fascinating process of lost wax bronze casting at Bronzart Foundry in Sarasota, Florida. With years of experience in the skilled trades, working with metal, wood, gypsum, plastics, and other materials, I quickly flourished in the foundry environment, excelling at shop work using industrial-level tools and techniques to transform bronze ingots into breathtaking end products. In just a few months, I became proficient in smelting and pouring, welding, grinding, finishing, patina application, and the installation of bronze sculptures, ranging from charming tabletop pieces to impressive monumental multi-figure works. I also enjoyed the distinct honor to be the sole patina artist on the first four editions (out of five) of the late Robert Rauschenberg’s bronze sculptures titled The Ancient Incident (Kabal American Zephyr). During the two years before his passing, I visited “Bob” on multiple occasions at his amazing studio on Captiva Island, even sharing in a champagne toast with the iconic artist. While catering to artist clientele and collaborating on their projects, I also devoted time to my own innovative designs, continually inspired by the journey ahead.
After a 6-year stint at Bronzart, once I had mastered the skills and processes of bronze sculpture casting and there was no further room for advancement, I decided to make a bold move by leaving the foundry and establishing the first of two commercial art sculpture businesses I owned and operated in Florida. I founded S.M.art Castings & Sculpture Services, LLC in Sarasota in 2008.
Those first few years in business were an undeniable trial by fire. While my studies at Ringling College had provided valuable insights into the commercial art industry, I quickly realized that solid business courses beyond art school would have been invaluable. Looking back, I see that a deeper understanding of the challenges of running a business might have made me pause before embarking on this particular leg of the journey. Strategically, when I launched S.M.art, I made a decisive choice to rent a space near downtown Sarasota. Upon discovering the warehouse in the Sarasota Industrial Park, just three miles from the city, I seized the opportunity with confidence. Five years later, to optimize my overhead and fuel smart growth, I relocated an hour south to Port Charlotte, where I found industrial spaces at roughly half the cost per square foot. With this move, I also embraced a name change, opting for something more creatively expressive: Thus, Moore Art Expressions was born.
For readers eager to explore the exciting art projects we created at S.M.art and MAE, simply scroll up to the main menu and click on the VISUAL ART PORTFOLIO button. You’ll find a treasure trove of photos and descriptions showcasing the wonderful processes behind our work. As I pen this post, I’m thrilled to share that I have even more inspiring content to add to the new page, and I can’t wait to update it very soon to support my job search efforts!
A Natural Progression into Storytelling Through the Art Form of Motion Pictures
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been transitioning from static visual art (fine art) to the dynamic realm of film since my teenage years. My ambition to enter the movie industry has intensified with each passing year, particularly following my transformative experience at the Ringling College of Art and Design. Since graduating from RCAD, I have consistently monitored the college for the introduction of an MFA program in film, though they still only offer 4-year degrees. I proudly taught as an adjunct professor for two semesters at RCAD during the 2011-2012 academic year, where I aided in the development of a course to equip computer animation students with essential real-world sculpture techniques and materials.
In early 2022, as the world was fiercely rebounding from the challenges of the pandemic and I was navigating the tumult of emotions following my mother’s passing, I took an invigorating moment to dive deep into the incredible journey I had forged in the realm of visual art. In reflecting on my path, I felt a powerful sense of fulfillment for all that I had accomplished, yet an undeniable yearning surged within me for one last artistic adventure before this chapter came to a close. My beloved Mom, always my loudest cheerleader, inspired me to strive for greatness and ascend to new heights. She passionately encouraged me to follow my bliss, consistently reminding me, “Scott, you’re a talented artist. I believe you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.” In her loving memory, I made the bold decision to embrace her words, testing my limits to see if I had the tenacity to go the extra mile. I resolutely committed to believing in my own abilities and talents as I embarked on the exciting journey of returning to college to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design.
In September of 2023, I confidently entered into a transformative program of study at SCAD, culminating in my graduation on May 29th of this year. Throughout the past two years, I encountered challenges that tested my resolve, but each experience only strengthened my determination. I was steadfast in my commitment to take 3 classes per quarter, enabling me to graduate in just six quarters (2 years). While I absorbed a wealth of knowledge in a short timeframe, I relished the exhilarating growth it brought! The Film and Television program at SCAD is intentionally designed to be intensive and rigorous, pushing me to excel. In my second year, I took great pride in writing a 15+ page thesis research paper connected to my thesis film. Writing, directing and acting in the “Third Eye from the Sun” was an extraordinary learning experience that significantly enriched my skills. I wanted the film to stand out as an “Art Film”, so I designed and fabricated the conscious energy device that was central to the storyline (see photos below). With a dynamic team of over 40 creative minds collaborating on the project, the energy and support we shared were truly remarkable, even as we wrestled with the challenges of requiring additional help both physically and financially!
“Third Eye from the Sun” is based on an ongoing true story. Uncle Neil, the role I embody in this short film, draws from a fictional alter ego that I have been meticulously developing for nearly 20 years. Although, it definitely hasn’t felt like such a lengthy process, because time seemingly passes swiftly when one is entirely engaged in the creation of art. While working at Bronzart in 2006, I began the practice of reading (and re-reading) literature focused on achieving success in both business and life. A client at the foundry generously gifted me Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, which subsequently led me to explore numerous other works by authors outlining similar strategies for wealth accumulation and prosperity. These business success books ultimately directed me to metaphysical texts and literature centered on conscious awareness. Explorations concerned with the manifestation of desired outcomes, the laws of attraction, and related themes increasingly replaced the fictional novels that had occupied my reading time for most of my life.
The group of images above are representative of the creative process I used to design and fabricate the “Conscious Energy Device – A transmitter, receiver, and reservoir for consciousness” purportedly created by Maynard’s uncle, Neil Barrett. I aspire to create a feature length version of this short film one day. When that day comes, I envision a much more elaborate device with functional accessories, incorporating light, sound and animatronic mechanization. I had sold my welding machine when I closed Moore Art Expressions and moved north, so I subcontracted Patrick Sell (a local Savannah tradesman) to weld the steel frame for me, per the rudimentary design sketch I provided to him.
The following images showcase selected still frames from “Third Eye from the Sun,” my thesis film from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Currently, I’m keeping the film under wraps as I prepare to submit it to various film festivals throughout the year ahead. Many prestigious festivals require that they have the exclusive premiere screening if they choose to include the film in their lineup. For my readers who are interested in seeing the finished short film “Third Eye from the Sun”, here’s a link – https://vimeo.com/1097614638/d48cb9a6d3?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
I trust you’ve found this insightful synopsis of “Third Eye from the Sun” and the overview of my dynamic transition into the film industry engaging. Thank you for exploring it on the Grand Providentia United website. I encourage you to support this page and my artistic journey by subscribing and sharing your thoughts here. I’m confident that there will be an abundance of thrilling news to share in the near future.
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