Meet Ashton Scott | Concept Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashton Scott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashton, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
When I create my art, I capture and emphasize elements of our world that appear to come from a realm of fantasy, and I strive to push myself to find original perspectives that warp our view to see something more supernatural. I am heavily inspired by high fantasy and horror from pop culture, such as the films done by Guillermo Del Toro, Studio Ghibli, and Tim Burton, and games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Breath of the Wild, and Dead by Daylight. Frequently, I’ll pull from nature to incorporate into my art; there is so much on this earth that appears very alien to us if you look at it from a particular perspective. Much of my work derives from imagining what our planet would look like if it were fantastical and forced to undergo drastic changes; my upcoming project, ‘Scorched Oceans,’ is focused on a fantasy reimagining of our ecosystems after experiencing years of climate change and the impact it would have on species evolution. Growing up, I would draw at any chance, but I was always told that art should remain a hobby and is not worth becoming a profession. Due to this, I had thought I would become a marine biologist, where I could at least work with creatures that looked just like from the fantasy worlds I would imagine. Thankfully, as I grew up, I realized there was room for me in the art world, and I knew that I would only truly feel satisfied with my life if I embraced art, a pillar of culture that opens my mind and puts me in a timeless trance like no other. Much of my inspiration comes from working alongside my peers and seeing like-minded artists’ fantastic creations. Above all else, my emotions guide and inspire whatever my next project is focused on, and more often than not, the times with the most hardship produce the most meaningful artworks. I am so thankful that I have the privilege of depicting how I see the world and having the freedom to express myself through infinite mediums. For me, art will always be the act of appreciating life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a 2D concept and visual development artist, I enjoy creating different worlds with cultures and ecosystems similar to our own. I am incredibly passionate about worldbuilding in the fantasy and horror genres; I love illustrating creatures and characters with strange expressions that could roam this planet in another universe. My art directly reflects my thoughts and emotions on the world, personified into creatures, frequently bringing me towards the horror genre to depict our raw emotions as beasts. Through my time at college and working on a team with USC Games, I came across many challenges that pushed me to refine my work ethic and develop the best process I could. I had to break my shell and learn to be comfortable socializing with various personalities I hadn’t worked with previously. Through practice and meeting the right people, I’ve found supportive groups that inspired me to produce my best work and grew my excitement to work in big groups again. In the past, I’ve struggled to communicate with others in a less artistic field. However, the more I can open up about my creative interests to others and learn theirs, the more confident I am in sharing my ideas and bouncing off the other person’s imagination. Overall, each experience I have working with a new group of people sets my progress forward in developing meaningful connections with people who can inspire me, and I can inspire right back. I’m at a point in my journey where there are still many more lessons to learn and challenges to face, but I am thankful to have gained the experience I have from the fantastic people I’ve worked with.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friends visited the area, I would take them to walk along the Santa Monica Pier or spend the day in Little Tokyo. When going to the beach, I would go over to Venice or Manhattan Beach while the sun is up, but my spot for beach bonfires is at Dockwieler State Beach during the sunset. When I get the chance, I like exploring the different wacky museums and oddity shops scattered throughout LA; the first ones that come to mind include The Bearded Lady, the Oddity Flea Market, the Mystic Museum, and La Brea Tar Pits. For nightlife, my go-to club is Boardners, especially on Saturday, when we can go to the Goth Club, Bar Sinister.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the support systems in my life that have motivated and carried me this far. My mother has always encouraged me to pursue what some might say would be an unrealistic career/lifestyle because she understands how empowering it is to devote yourself to art, a way to depict the world in your view to tell a meaningful story. There is no greater gift she could have given me than her support, and I appreciate her kindness every day.
The friends I had while studying in college pulled me through my most significant hardships and taught me what a good work ethic was all about. With them, I could enjoy my time with friends while simultaneously inspiring each other to produce unique illustrations each week, showing me how much I love working in groups of like-minded people within the game and entertainment industry.
My partner, another artist, has also helped propel me into the industry, inspiring me with their never-ending creativity and being my shoulder to lean on in so many instances. They remind me every day what makes life precious and why I make art in the first place.
Lastly, my professors in college taught me invaluable lessons that I carry with me consistently. They made me feel prepared and tested my abilities when I needed to improve. Their lessons have shaped who I am and the work I produce by encouraging me to fight tooth and nail to get the artistic results I want. My professors gave me an invaluable gift, providing me with the tools I use to depict my view of the world through art.

Website: https://www.ashtonscott.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtondamianscott/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtondscott/