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Showcasing The Art of Scot Paisley

Calgary artist Scot Paisley paints portraits that capture more than a likeness — impressionistic character studies

Portfolio

Showcasing The Art of Scot Paisley

Calgary artist Scot Paisley paints portraits that capture more than a likeness — impressionistic character studies

Portfolio

A man painting a Native American portrait and smiling at the camera.

About Scot

Commission a Portrait

I learned to read people before I learned to draw them. Growing up with cerebral palsy, I spent a lot of time watching — a raised eyebrow, a shift in posture, the half-second before someone decided how to react to me. I got good at it, because I had to. Eventually I started putting what I saw onto paper, and the watching became the work.

That’s still how I paint. My character studies — North American, African Indigenous, Asian subjects, rodeo and jazz personalities — all come from the same instinct: pay close enough attention that the gesture tells you more than the face alone would. I’m not after a likeness. I’m after the moment just before or just after the expression, the part most people paint right past.

I’ve also taught art since 1998, from preschoolers to adults, and it comes from the same place — paying close attention to whoever’s in front of me, whether they’re holding a brush or sitting for one.

Click on "Portfolio" to see his work

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In Scot’s Own Words…

Portrait painting of a young girl with blonde hair and a white dress.

Commission a Portrait

I paint portraits of children, families, individuals, and pets — always looking for the character underneath the likeness, not just an accurate copy of a photo. Working from photos or live sittings, I try to bring out the mood, the personality, the thing that makes that face unmistakably them.

How it works:

1. Consultation — Send me your p

How it works:

1. Consultation — Send me your photos, or let’s set up a sitting. Tell me about your subject — what makes them, them.

2. Sketch & Approval — I’ll send an initial study so you can weigh in before I commit to the final piece.

3. Final Painting — Your finished portrait, ready to hang.

Pricing depends on size and medium — reach out and I’ll put together a quote for your project.

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Start Your Commission

Close-up of vibrant orange and blue textured paint on canvas.

art classes & instruction

Special Events & Occasions

I’ve been teaching art since 1998, and I love working with students of every age — preschoolers through Grade 12, plus plenty of adults along the way. I design every lesson around the student in front of me: their skill level, their interests, what they’re actually curious about, whether that’s drawing fundamentals, painting technique, or

I’ve taught at the Alberta University of the Arts, Rundle College, Rundle Academy, North Point School for Boys, Leighton Art Centre, the Town of Cochrane, Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD), CIAS, and the City of Calgary.

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Inquire about art classes

Special Events & Occasions

Live Sketching For Events
I love bringing a live, interactive element to events — Wedding portraits, caricatures or themed sketches (superheroes, Pokémon, you name it), painted or drawn on the spot. I’ve done weddings, birthday parties, fundraisers, corporate events, and private celebrations, and it’s always a hit watching people see themselves come to life on paper in real time.

Book me for your event

Showcasing The Art of Scot Paisley

Showcasing The Art of Scot Paisley

Recent Works

About Scot

Commission a Portrait

Commission a Portrait

Commission a Portrait

Commission a Portrait

Commission a Portrait

art classes & instruction

Special Events & Occasions

Special Events & Occasions

Special Events & Occasions

Special Events & Occasions

Special Events & Occasions

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