Scott Harris knows story. While some of his pictures move, and some sit still, they all contain an underlying narrative at the service of direct, concise, and often entertaining communication.
“I’ve worked behind the scenes with agencies making special effects and commercials for so long. I’m much happier now working directly with my clients, making sure I hear their thoughts and read their reactions. I don’t come to my work with my own story. I start with what they’ve got, what they say they need, and I build the right story for each project. When appropriate, which is almost always, I add a dash of humor.
“On the other hand, my paintings tell stories in which there are no beginnings or endings, just suggestions, invitations to the viewer to fill in the gaps. You can’t look at them without wondering where those characters come from and why they are doing what they do.
“Looking at my paintings as a group it seems clear the content isn’t as much about the actual characters as they are about yearning or desire and the risks you take by having it. It’s risky to want something. And it’s almost dangerous to want something a lot! I certainly feel that way.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’ll always be making pictures that tell stories.”
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Creative Director/Motion Graphics /Animator
Scott Harris Art, San Francisco
2012-present
Creative Director/Motion Graphics /Animator
Video Arts, San Francisco
2008-2012
Flame Artist//Motion Graphics /Animator
The Filmworkers Club, Chicago
1992-1997, 2001-2007
Flame Artist//Motion Graphics /Animator
Western Images, San Francisco
1997-2000
Skills: After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flame/Flint, pencil and paper