Meet Scout Zabinski | Artist

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

Hi Scout, is there something you believe many others might not?
One thing I got told very early on in my art career was that you should show up and make art every single day. At the time, I thought that meant I had to go to the studio seven days a week and actually sit and paint or draw or something like that. Now though, it’s not that I disagree, but I think my art practice and showing up is much more inclusive of an idea. To me, the art actually materializes in moments outside my studio. My life and the time I spend connecting with others, my environment, and myself is more the art than any painting. And I mean, I say this often, but I really mean it, if, at the end of my life, my greatest artwork is one painting, then I failed myself. My existence and our collective experience, I hope, is the best thing I ever contribute to or take part in creating.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started making art when I was really young, but didn’t really think that someone could make a career of being an artist. I actually studied mostly psychology in school because going to art school wasn’t really an option I gave to myself at the time. Needless to say, this all kind of just happened. And now, I realize I couldn’t do or see myself doing at least, anything else.

One of the hardest challenges I think I’ve come across to date, was something I call Junior album syndrome. After my first show in a gallery, I got typecast one could say as the girl who paints nudes. And for a while, I was so busy trying to prove that I could make massive impressive, technically sound paintings as a self taught artist, that I didn’t really consider if I was enjoying it anymore. So I started hating what was once my favorite thing to do. That’s when I realized I needed to take a risk and I needed to introduce play back into my practice. I needed to give myself permission to fail. It was terrifying. I had this perfect formula for making paintings that I knew it would sell, but selling wasn’t making me happy. The paintings, the process used to make me happy, and if I was the one who had to keep making them, I had to fix an issue way up the production line in order to continue.

And that’s how I got to the new body of work. I made a sculpture of a human size sardine and can to pose in for the flyer of my Stockholm solo show “Violin Theory”. The first fish I had to throw out, but after successfully carving the second one out of foam and then re-creating the composition of my sardine painting in that show, I stumbled across the missing puzzle piece. I already had all these loose ends, and ideas floating around, but I hadn’t given myself the space or freedom to find the path to them and the distance with which to understand how they fit together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s funny because my best friend is actually coming to visit right after I get back from my show in New York this May. We spend a lot of our time going to try restaurants and revisiting favorites. I think food is another form of art and the way it brings people together is magical to me. Dunsmoor is my favorite place to eat in Los Angeles. I think they create simple food but execute it impeccably and without any unnecessary frills. Just fat and flavor. I also love brunch because it’s an excuse to have a slow day that begins with pleasure. My favorite spots are Doubting Thomas, Jim and James, and Sqirl.

Besides that, I love to take people on drives. The drive to my favorite beach in Malibu always sets my soul at ease. There’s a noticeable shift in the air and temperature when you find your on the winding roads through the canyons, it’s like the ocean greeting you and urging you to breathe a bit deeper.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s a million people I think I could thank. My high school art teacher, Cathy, My English professor, Marc. My college advisor, Meleko. My mom, for championing me always, and dad for reading the stories behind paintings to me as a kid when we traveled and visited museums. My first boss, Andrew, for telling me when to jump. Todd Kramer, for giving me a shot. And my core four, for sticking with me always and reminding me who I am.

But the person I really want to take a second to recognize is Luke Jenner. He saved my life and I wouldn’t be here today without him . For those that don’t know Luke, he was the lead singer of the band, the Rapture and now Is a life coach. I met him at a time where I genuinely Was scared because I didn’t think I would live until 30. I struggled with addiction and PTSD and debilitating depression. He held space for me, gave me hope that someone like me could one day be happy, and showed me the possibilities and real meaning of being an artist. Thank you will never be enough but he knows that he got me here in many ways. And I’m eternally grateful.

Website: https://Scoutzabinski.com

Instagram: @scoutzabinski

Image Credits
Portrait credit to McCabe Slye
Install shots courtesy of Carl Kostyal Gallery and the artist