Q&A with Local Artist Isabella Scott

Elevate partnered with Marwen, a non-profit that offers free art classes for young people, to create a mural for our office space.  

Isabella Scott, a local illustrator and fine artist, painted the mural to highlight the communities that Elevate works within as we strive to create a world where everyone has access to clean and affordable heat, cooling, power, and water in their homes.  

Based in Chicago, Scott creates art in a variety of mediums, from ballpoint pen to painting to photography, with an eye for combining “fact and fantasy,” according to her website. She previously taught classes at Marwen and her work has been featured in galleries, magazines, murals, and editorial publications.  

We interviewed Scott about her work at Marwen, the mural she created for Elevate, and her passion for art. To learn more about Scott’s work, visit her website.  

Local artist Isabella Scott painted a mural that highlights the people Elevate works with and serves.

Can you tell me more about your work with Marwen and your experience there? 

I was part of Marwen’s Emerging Teaching Artist (META) Program, and I got to learn how to teach a few different classes and work with different students. I got to run my own workshops.  It’s basically a program where you can start teaching classes at Marwen or work there full-time. I did the program for about a year and taught two classes each semester. I also did a few classes over spring break and some summer courses. I met some great artists and learned a lot. It’s definitely a great way to learn more about yourself and your teaching style, and it’s great that all the classes are free for students.  

How did you first get interested in art and start pursuing it as a career? 

I guess I always liked it when I was a kid, and especially in middle school and high school. I started to get good at it over time, and just thought, “What’s next from here?” I remember bringing my art to different college fairs in high school and people suggested I look into illustration. So, I ended up going to Columbia College for illustration, and also for arts management. That’s how I found Marwen, through one of my classes about creative nonprofits, and I just instantly loved working with nonprofits. 

Can you describe your art style and the mediums you enjoy most?  

I’d describe myself as a mixed media artist. I like using pen, ink, paint, crayons. I don’t do oil, that’s the one thing that I don’t really like, but I enjoy pretty much everything else, even collages and incorporating found materials.  I especially enjoy working on fun projects around Chicago that uplift communities. 

I feel like I have two different styles, one is pretty upbeat and high energy, like the mural I’m working on for Elevate. Then my other style is more mysterious and darker, with pen and ink.  

What’s your typical process when you get a new project?  

I always make a Pinterest board for everything, just to get ideas and a theme, and start to feel more inspired. I also list out all the expectations and try to find things that represent them. Then I usually do three versions of a project, then choose the best one to show whoever I’m working with. Then I keep doing drafts until we get to a version that everyone likes, which is kind of how it went with the Elevate mural. I shared three different versions, and we kept making changes until it fit what everyone was looking for.  

What’s your vision for the mural you’re making for Elevate, and what’s the process been like? 

The people I worked with at Elevate wanted something really bright, that highlighted the work they do and especially the people they do it for. So, I made some construction workers installing solar panels and I added a river to represent water and natural resources. I also put a diverse group of people to represent who Elevate serves and works with throughout Illinois.  

What made you interested in taking on this project and working with Elevate? 

I did really look into Elevate, and I love the mission. It seems like Elevate is helping a lot of people and doing great things, so I thought it’d be a great group to connect with.  

What do you enjoy the most about creating art? 

I love sketching and drafting ideas because there’s no pressure to make sure it’s completed. Coming up with new concepts is really fun for me.