Meet Scott Santee | Tattooer & Fine Artist

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

Hi Scott, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
While still in high school, I pictured myself sitting at a 9-5 in a cubicle and it gave me the creeps. I thought what I could do creativley and pursued that with all my energy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well I think any artist will tell you it is never easy from the start. I believe I found myself a bit bored with doing traditional tattoo flash and the fluid acrylic/watercolor that often accompanies it. I remember wanting to work with heavy body acrylics to develop a more loose painterly style. With no formal education I began by foraging scrap wood and using cheap craft store acrylics to render what was in my head. I was sure not to take myself to seriously so it wouldn’t impede the cessation. After a few years of trial and error I found myself churning out pieces fairly quickly with buyers typically in tow. Now with around 15 years of experimentation under my belt I feel I am starting to develop a style that is unique to myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful destination in the US and I have been able to put this question through its courses. Residing in Golden it makes a wonderful home base to explore all the beauty this state has to offer. a typical BF visit will typically kick off with dinner in downtown Golden, favorites include Cast Iron Tavern, Miners Saloon, and Sherpa House. After a belly full of food and some conversation with a sunset on Lookout mtn. In the morning we pack up and head to any numerous breathtaking locations in the Rockies, find me in Fairplay ripping dirt bikes on OHV trails or fly fishing the South Platte in Deckers. If your lucky enough to catch a powder day during the winter my favorite laps are spent on Mary Jane in Winter Park.

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?
I would have to rely most of inspiration on the many tattooers I have worked along side over the years. My initial mentor Anthony Adkins was solely responsible for putting a tattoo machine in my hand and teaching me the craft early on. After a few years I ended up working with Al Garcia and Brian McCrone who steer me in the direction of custom design and painting. A few more years later I find myself in Columbus, Ohio and around some of the people that I will find shaping me the most. Most notably Cary Aldridge, Dave Tevenal, Iggy Sweeney, Kevin Stress, Steve Cvinar, Durb Morrison, Giovani, Joey Knuckles, Adam Fox, Caleb Ledley and the list could run off the page. Now sitting in Denver I’m surrounded by a wealth of talent at Til Death and my home along side my girlfriend Alexandrea Pangburn who is continuously dropping my jaw and her progression.

Website: www.scottsantee.com

Instagram: @santeeattack

Image Credits
Whitney Michelle has credit for image of me tattooing and I have asked for permission ask other are my own