a/v: Give us a little background: Where were you born? Where have you lived?

Scott Spencer: I was born in Santa Monica, California, and haven't strayed too far since.  I grew up in Huntington Beach, bounced around Orange County for awhile, and have been living in Los Angeles since 1996.  I love it here and probably won't ever leave.  I would like another place to paint, though.  If I can get myself another studio someday, I'll probably buy a property someplace rural, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.


scott spencer
photo by matt harbicht

You had a serious brush with cancer.  Explain how this experience affected you as an artist.

Yes, I had cancer in my mouth and surgery to remove a good portion of my tongue, a salivary gland and all of the lymph nodes on my left side.  I'm fortunate to have regained my speech.  I had trouble with Ss and Ts for a while . . . still do when I get a few beers in me. My cancer actually started my career as an artist.  It helped me realize that our time hear on Earth is ephemeral and not to be taken for granted.&a