An Interview with Libby Scott

Libby is an expressive landscape artist using acrylic mixed media. As well as paintings, she makes handmade sketchbooks and has limited edition prints and greetings cards of her paintings. She also provides online art coaching services and offers one-to-one mentoring sessions, supporting artists to develop their practice.

Where in rural Scotland are you based and what do you love about living and working there?

I’m based in Coupar Angus and Perth, which provide good road links for clients, all of whom are fabulous people.

When did you set up your rural business, and what inspired you to start it?

3 years ago. I started it because I wanted to follow my dream of being an independent exhibiting artist.

What is the biggest challenge you face or have faced running your business in rural Scotland?

Initially it was the ability to connect with like minded people and latterly it has been the pandemic, as I was in shielding for a long time. That was hard and pretty isolating.

What’s been your biggest achievement so far?

I don’t have one big, all out achievement as it’s been lots of little things along the way. If I had to chose one thing it would be taking on a professional studio. I was very chuffed with that!

How does where you live inspire your creativity?

Just north of Stanley village is an expanse of space and big skies. This is what inspires my work, the dynamics, energy and ever changing skies are stunning where I live and this is fed into my paintings in an expressive way. I convey the feeling of being within that landscape.

What support have you received?

GrowBiz helped me to connect during the pandemic, gave support when I needed it the most with business advice, mentoring and online courses. I’ve become more confident in operating my creative business.