Scott Belcastro paints dreamlike forests of the mind, instilling them with a sense of the delicate yet overwhelming virtue of nature. Perhaps unconsciously, he makes the landscape itself the central figure in his narrative – his forest seems very alive, imbued with a sense of awareness, as if it is watching the story unfold within itself. Each leaf and vine is described with a precision that draws the viewer inward, both physically and emotionally. At the same time, his vast skies are dramatic and turbulent, their ominous aspect often contravening the idyllic sylvan scene below.
Scott’s outlook is informed by memories of his childhood, which he spent playing in the woods of upstate New York – a time when “there were no mistakes or wrong feelings, just enjoyment and a sense of emotional freedom.” Working in his Los Angeles studio, he endeavors to capture that elusive aura of wonder and ineffable, poignant beauty in concrete form, painting in acrylics on wooden panels. Within this framework, he explores longing and loss, his struggles for understanding, and the silent moments of awe that renew the spirit.
– Amanda Erlanson
Los Angeles, December 2009
Scott’s outlook is informed by memories of his childhood, which he spent playing in the woods of upstate New York – a time when “there were no mistakes or wrong feelings, just enjoyment and a sense of emotional freedom.” Working in his Los Angeles studio, he endeavors to capture that elusive aura of wonder and ineffable, poignant beauty in concrete form, painting in acrylics on wooden panels. Within this framework, he explores longing and loss, his struggles for understanding, and the silent moments of awe that renew the spirit.
– Amanda Erlanson
Los Angeles, December 2009