Scott Forrest was given the opportunity to showcase his own work in a gallery after winning the prestigious Cass Art Award 2023 at the Big Art Show in Paisley last year.
His debut solo show reached the end of a brief run at Cass Art in Glasgow city centre on August 23, though he’s hopeful it won’t be the last chance the public gets to see his work on show.
Gourock-born Scott, who runs a childminding business with his wife Gillian, was inspired to put his thoughts on to canvas during the Covid pandemic.
Scott Forrest (Image: George Munro)
The 60-year-old said: “I feel incredibly privileged and lucky to have my own solo exhibition. I know artists wait all their lives for this chance. It has been an amazing experience for me.
“I have had such a great response to my exhibition, with Poppies being the most popular.
“I have always been attracted and fascinated by the imperfection of nature, That is very much the inspiration for my work. It is about the process for me, putting it all together.
“I had absolutely no art background whatsoever. I didn’t take art at school. I was a director of a plant hire firm, HSS, until I stepped back in 2019.
Scott Forrest (Image: George Munro)
Dad-of-five Scott and his wife Gillian, an accountant, stay in Kelly Street in Greenock, where they brought up their children Aidan, 29, Niall, 27, Mia, 24 and Tom, 22.
Describing his first steps on the road to becoming an artist, Scott added: “We went on a life-changing trip to Goa in India and went on a yoga retreat. That was what changed everything. I started yoga classes and I started to paint.
“I am loving my new life as an artist, and I am very proud to have won an award.”
Voyeur (Image: Scott Forrest)
When he is not painting, Scott runs Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga classes in the town.
He works from a studio in Victory Court, sharing space with artist Julie Anson as part of the Outer Spaces programme.
Scott Forrest Poppies (Image: Scott Forrest)
Scott has developed close links with many artists and works closely with them drawing inspiration from colours, textures, and forms found in nature.
His journey began after he completed a creative visionary programme offered by artist Nicholas Wilton, a 12-week online course offered to artists at all levels promising to “transform your art” in 2021.
Find out more about Scott’s work at scottforrestartist.com or by following ‘scottforrestartist’ on Instagram.
