Meet Lance Scruggs | Visual Artist

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

Hi Lance, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Born, and raised In Nashville, Tennessee. My father is a hard-working man, and he taught me to be active with my hands at a very young age. Although he may not be an artist in the medium of painting I credit him for the creativity, Ingenuity and the ability to improvise that I picked up observing him over the years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I carry a certain fearlessness, and sense of humility in my art. A documentary I watched on Jean-Michel Basquiat about 12 years back titled “The Radiant Child” sparked my curiosity, and eventually led to my first painting. It Didn’t necessarily take me years to gain recognition it more so took me years to perfect my craft, and be comfortable enough with releasing it. When I first started I replicated Basquiat, and over the years my individual style began to emerge from studies of his work. I believe that because of this when I first began showing my work I felt imposter syndrome, I wanted my work to stand apart from Jean-Michelle, but to carry that same free childlike energy. It isn’t easy, but it is fun. I want people to know that inside everyone there is a true you, and If you are fortunate enough to be able to recognize that truth you need to pursue it no matter what it is; nothing will be easier than being true to yourself!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I like to be outside, so my first thought would be probably hitting the river, and fishing from the kayak. Afterwards we would visit The PSV Store to shop some local businesses, grab some Caribbean cuisine from The Pepper Pot, visit CecretbyCeGallery to see who’s on exhibit, and catch some live music around town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family has continuously encouraged me over the years, and has always been right behind me whenever I need them. I cannot go any further without shouting out my family (as a whole). I’ve read a bunch of good books that have helped me on my journey, but a couple that have stood out to me are “The daily laws by Robert Green”, “Still like an artist, show your work, and keep going By Austin Kleon”, “The war of art by Stephen Pressfield”, “The bravest you by Adam Kirk Smith”, and “ The Celestine prophecy By James Redfield”.

Instagram: Lance_therebel