This artist turns stamps into intricate masterpieces

Jordan Scott in his studio. Photo courtesy

Meet Artwork Archive artist Jordan Scott. 

Jordan Scott began collecting stamps as a child, when his stepfather cut the edges of envelopes and sent him old stamps.

However, it wasn't until he bid on a mysterious package at a real estate sale and found he had over a million stamps that he felt inspired to use the stamps in his artwork.

Jordan originally intended to use the stamps as a kind of texture layer that he would paint over. However, while waiting for the stamps to dry before applying the next layer, he was struck by the beauty of the piece in its current form. It was there that he began laying out the stamps in different, almost meditative schemes and using the stamps as the main material.

Get lost in the patterns of Jordan Scott's work. 

Find out why Jordan became obsessed with stamps and how this obsession has led to an extensive gallery presence and a long list of impressive exhibitions.

"" Jordan Scott.

You describe your work as meditative. What are you trying to achieve with each part?

I have a degree in religious studies and 35 years of martial arts experience - I have also been a lifelong meditator. Now I do art full time. Whether I like it or not, many of my works are like mandalas. This is not an objective work of art. I am not trying to make a statement of any kind. It's subjective. It is supposed to affect someone on a subconscious or inner level, not on an intellectual level. I imagine them as something to look at and meditate on…. or at least move away from [laughs].

Are there any logistical restrictions when using this material as a base material?

As time goes by it gets harder and harder.

I had just completed a commission for Neiman Marcus and each work had about ten thousand stamps, consisting of just four different unique "types". It took me over 2,500 stamps of the same issue and color just to make this piece. Getting thousands of identical issues is almost like a treasure hunt.

Let's take a look at Jordan Scott's studio. Photo courtesy of Jordan Scott Art. 

Finished products are very similar to quilts. Is it intentional?

Textile connection is the answer "yes" and "no". Textiles inspire me a lot. I always go through magazines like Restoration Hardware and cut out patterns that are part of a textile spread. They inspire me on some level. I literally made people come to the opening and be surprised that they were not at the textile exhibition.

This is a double whammy. You see a piece from one side, and then you get closer, and it becomes clear that it is thousands of marks.

 

Have you learned anything interesting about brands in general from using them?

The stamps have a really interesting history. I'm also interested in the so-called "fancy cancellations" - this is a word from the time when the post office was just starting up, and they were not so organized. There are 30-40 year old handmade cancellations that the postmaster carved from bottle caps. For me, they are like limited edition prints. I always put them off. Sometimes I use them in my work because they are so beautiful.

In terms of manufacturing, if you work with 100 year old stamps, you get a lesson in history. They document our history, people, inventions, discoveries and events. It could be a famous writer I've never heard of, or a poet, or even a president I may not know much about. I have a catalog and I make a mental note so that I can find out about it later.

Now we're getting some ideas from an artist who's been in the art business all the way to science. 

"" Jordan Scott.

Do you have a daily routine when you come to the studio?

I split the week in terms of 70/30.

70% is actually doing the work, and 30% is getting consumables, talking to galleries, updating the Art Archive… everything related to the “art backend”. It's important to me because I know a lot of artists who say they're not very good at it, but they think they can get away with one or five percent of the back end.

That's where it comes.

When the gallery appears, I will be able to . It makes me look good compared to other artists. Most of the artists are not organized and that helps me to be organized.

I'd say it's more of a weekly thing for me. Five days in the studio and two days in the office.

Any other ideas about performance?

When I go to the studio, it's the other way around. When I get there, I turn on the music, make coffee and get to work. Period. I do not allow administrative distractions or personal excuses.

I don't allow myself a bad studio day.

Sometimes people say if you have days when you are not inspired and I always say no. You have to overcome this resistance and doubt and just do the work.

I believe that artists who can break through this, that's where inspiration comes in - breaking through resistance, not praying or hoping for it, but just working. If I can't find it, I'll start cleaning or putting things in order.

Otherwise, the process is very simple: kick your ass and go.

"" Jordan Scott.

How did you get your first gallery show?

All of my gallery submissions were done the old fashioned way—with great presentation and communication, great images, and sending emails. . It's about finding a gallery that matches your work. It is useless to look for a gallery that does not fit.

For my first major gallery in Chicago, I submitted slides. I visited as many galleries and exhibitions as I could. I would like to visit the gallery. I had a nice email I sent that had a "personal link". Whenever you put a personal touch into it, it makes a difference.

They called me back, and on the same day the work was in the gallery.

My next major gallery came to me after I saw my work in a pop-up exhibition. Another example of how you never know who will walk in, so take it seriously. Judy The Saslow Gallery came in and she was amazed [by my work]. She asked for samples and I was fully prepared. She was impressed with my art and when she left with my samples, she was impressed with me too.

Every detail is covered with resin. Photo courtesy of Jordan Scott Art.

You now have an impressive array of impressive galleries...how do you maintain that relationship?

I have a really great relationship with all of them in terms of communication. I will check most of the galleries monthly. A simple “Hi, how are you? I wonder if there is interest." Without asking anything, I just say: “Hi, remember me?” I will do so when appropriate.

The main thing you can do to maintain a relationship with a gallery is to be professional and be prepared when asked for prices or images.

You want to make sure that you not only deliver it to them within a day or so, but also present it professionally. The best thing to do with any of their galleries is to be professional.

I've seen people post images to galleries where they shoot their work leaning against a wall but don't crop it. Or it's a fuzzy image due to low light. If you can't do it yourself, you need someone else to do it.

The first impression is everything.

How would you recommend other artists present themselves professionally?

Most of the artists who use have had a moment where they realized that they are disorganized and need something to ease these aspects of their studio life.

I did it myself the old fashioned way with files. I would have a list, but I needed to see where everything was at a glance. When I had one or two galleries it was fine, but as I started getting bigger and doing more exhibitions, it became mentally and emotionally overwhelming to visualize where everything was. I didn't really have a solution for this.

told me he used it and that's all I needed to hear. My "aha" moment was this recommendation, and because it was the kind of peace of mind I would have had once it was introduced. For me, it was a new level.

It's really motivating to use because you can open your locations and see all the red dots. When you're having a bad day, you can open it up and see, "Hey, this gallery sold something a few weeks ago."

Want to visualize all your sales and present yourself professionally to galleries and buyers?

and watch all the little red dots appear.