What is the best thing that I love about my work?

The exhilarating freedom I experience when painting. While I am working I answer to no one, and I am so grateful to have those extended moments where I can simply express myself in the most honest, candid, uncensored way. It is the purest form of existence.

What is my idea of perfect happiness?

Experiencing truth is my idea of perfect happiness. I believe that truth is the basis of all beauty. While people may have different aesthetic tastes, truth – a singular vision – is always recognizable

What is my greatest fear?

I worry most on behalf of those I love. I don’t have any fears for myself. I think I cope pretty well. My greatest fear, then, is fear.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I am disappointed that it took me so long to develop true confidence. I am about to turn 60. I always recognized my own abilities, but was unsure others did. I have always strived to be confident, not cocky. Cockiness rings hollow to me, and seems an open invitation for an humbling.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

I most admire those artists whose focus is on their work, on the activity itself, rather than the end product. I relate more to the joy derived from the doing than to the having done.

What is my greatest extravagance?

My greatest extravagance is my willingness to suspend all judgment toward myself when working. Like everyone, I have heard a wide range of opinions expressed about my work. I like what I am doing, or I wouldn’t do it, and at the same time I recognize that there will always be those who like it, those who don’t and those who are neutral on the subject.

On what occasion would I lie?

I see no good reason to make someone feel badly about themselves, so I would avoid doing that when I can.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Before he made films, as a critic Francois Truffaut chose to write only about the films he enjoyed. He never addressed those he did not like. Likewise, when I dislike something in my work, I paint over it, or find some way to fix it. I am a fixer, so I like problems. They give me something to deal with.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I am happiest in my studio, absorbed in my work, with my wife and sons happily absorbed in whatever interests them most at the moment.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I would finally get my act together physically so that I could improve my chances of living longer.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

That I make myself happy. I don’t say that in an egotistical way. I mean to say that I enjoy being self-reliant. As I said above, I find tremendous pleasure in my play at the easel. I recognize that the energy I have been given for a lifetime belongs to the universe. I appreciate the opportunity to enjoy that energy.

What do the words ‘The Financial Freedom to Create’ mean to me?

I am fortunate enough to be gainfully employed to the extent I am able to buy paint, brush and canvas. However, I strongly believe that the heart will pursue whatever it truly wants; my focus is on the activity of creating – if necessary, the activity can be confined to mere thoughts. Money is non-essential.

Where would I most like to live?

Paris. Always.

What is my most treasured possession?

Joy.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Dogged determination.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

My studio.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

They constantly change; I like trying new places. However, my favorites are El Cholo, Patina, Tito’s Tacos, Cat Sushi and Rascal’s. I always gravitate towards Mexican or Japanese restaurants.

What books influenced my life and how?

The Sound and the Fury, the Cat in the Hat, Finnegan’s Wake, Welcome to the Monkey House, Les Miserables (yes, Victor Hugo!) and Immortality.

Who are my favorite writers?

Milan Kundera, Kurt Vonnegut, James Joyce, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, William Faulkner, Bertrand Russell, Peggy Guggenheim, Gertrude Stein and Henry Miller.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

The soundtrack to Nove Cento by Ennio Morricone.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Professor Avenarius.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

David Lynch and Françoise Gilot.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Cinema Paradiso.

What role plays art in my life and work?

It engages and occupies me.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My wife.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017?

Thomas Whittaker Kidd.

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017?

Virginia Broersma.

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on?

My 2018 solo show proposal.

Where can you see me or my work in 2017?

Trimbled (16 works) currently at the Laemmle NoHo’s Art in the Arthouse; CA101 (Redondo Beach, through June 11); Gallery 825’s Out There (opening June 9); Apero Gallery’s on-line catalogue, Surrounding; Skyepoet.com’s Featured Artist of the Month; Crosstown Traffic, Manhattan Beach Art Center Gallery (opening June 17); VS (Gallery 825 opening June 30); Satan’s Ball (ArtShare-LA, opening July 1); Los Angeles Art Association’s 92nd Annual Fundraiser (Gallery 825 July 29) [details and more info available on https://www.saatchiart.com/scottatrimble or https://www.facebook.com/scott.trimble.54.] You can also read about me at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shana-nys-dambrot/scott-a-trimbles-visionqu_b_9062648.html; http://www.easyreadernews.com/114203/circling-back-to-the-dream-deferred/; http://www.skyepoet.com/scott-a.-trimble.html.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

It’s not work; it’s love.

Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story?

Joshua Elias, Shana Nys Dambrot, Miles Regis, Osceola Refetoff, Kim Kimbro.

How can you contact me?

scottatrimble@msn.com.