Q&A with Artist Scott Dykema
The artist talks artwork, his renovated school bus turned studio, and the excitement of finding a home for his art.
Bright and bold colors, textural improvisation, interesting subjects; these are just a few recognizable staples of Scott Dykema’s work. His art has been featured in many DFW galleries and publications such as Luxe, 360 West and Studio Visit. He is also known for illustrating the children’s book, “Keep Dreaming.”
Dykema’s paintings lend a unique touch to any space, which is one of the reasons why he is a favorite of Paxton Place Design for over 15 years.
Tell us about yourself and your company.
I am a husband and father. I was born in California, but have lived in Texas most of my life. I graduated from UTA with a degree in fine art and painting. I’ve been painting since graduating in 2000. My wife and I started a decorative painting company in 2000, called Daydream Studios. I have been running that company since then and continued to make fine art at the same time. I have always had a studio space and made art ever since then. I still do the decorative painting work under that company, but have been fortunate to make fine art my primary job and source of income. I am now a full-time artist.
Why work inside a school bus? What drew you to it?
I have a home and studio in Arlington, I’d always dreamed of having a home studio. My studio is a 1947 Chevy school bus that has been converted. I love it so much! I can walk out of my back door and get into my studio to make art at any hour! The bus was actually my wife’s idea. I was looking for a new studio and my wife Anna saw the bus at an auto salvage yard and suggested that it might work. The space is perfect!
Why do you mix media in your paintings? Do you feel paint can be too constricting?
My artwork is almost all mixed media, I love to work without restrictions. I have found that over time my greatest super power is to be able to work from total freedom. Having a studio space that is all paid off and working in mixed multimedia is all part of working from freedom. The materials that I use have come to me from years of doing interior decorative painting too.
The subjects of your artwork are diverse from cowboys, to Native Americans, sumo wrestlers, geishas and samurai warriors. How do you pick the subject you are going to paint?
Honestly, I used to think that the work I made was all about process and the process seemed to be the content. However, over the years I am learning that my content is all about admiration. Admiration for other cultures and their beauty, strength, etc. My work is very much about love as well. The work that I make comes from love and I believe it exudes love. A lot of my childhood was all about curiosity and love for other cultures and their traditions.
You do many projects for us, molding finishes, murals and you are currently working on a gilded finish for some ottomans of ours. Why do such diverse projects?
While I am now a full-time artist I continue working on decorative painting projects as well. I still paint murals and wish to someday paint one that is actually inspired by the art that I make. Something huge and unlimited as far as media and color, texture, etc. This is a big dream, much like the home studio. I’m sure that it will happen someday! I still love doing murals and decorative paint work because it constantly informs my studio work and vice versa. All the work that I do with paint and painting materials gives to other projects. Always.
How does it make you feel seeing your artwork in a home? And what do you hope they see and feel when looking at your work?
My artwork is highly collectible, I have collectors all over the world. I do a lot of custom projects and sell my art online and in stores and galleries. My online gallery at Ugallery.com is one that has been really successful. When I see that a piece of art has found a new home I get so freakin' excited! When I actually get to see a pic of it in a home it is a feeling of pride that I almost cannot even believe. When I think about what it takes to make something and for it to find its home, it kind of blows my mind. It is a lot like when people find people that they fall in love with and choose to live with forever. Buying art is a big investment sometimes and making a painting of mine the focal point in any space is a huge honor. Making art for a living is not really the easiest thing to do but there is nothing that I would rather be doing.
What is the best way for people to find your artwork and you?
My art can be seen on my website www.scottdykema.com and www.ugallery.com/artist/scott-dykema. I am on Facebook and Instagram under my name.
