Painting in Motion
Jeff Scher on Animation and the Art of Breaking Rules
“I’m really a painter who paints in motion,” Jeff Scher says—and once you see his work, there’s no better way to describe it.
From his studio in Westport, Connecticut, Jeff creates animations that blur the line between painting, film, memory, music, and the world of dreams. His work—abstract, rhythmic, and deeply human—has been recognized by leading institutions around the world. The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm, his Emmy Award–winning animated documentary for HBO, captures Holocaust history through the eyes of a child. His films are held in the permanent collections of MoMA, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum, the Pompidou Center, and others.
In his SPI talk, Jeff speaks directly to young artists and animators, offering an inspiring look at his process and philosophy. He shares how he brings movement to the painted frame, how music and rhythm shape his storytelling, and why he urges students to break the rules, take risks, and make something that’s uniquely their own. It’s a rare opportunity to learn from a master—and to hear how art can - and must - become a deeply personal, expressive act.
Whether animating the flicker of memory or the pulse of a Tom Petty’s Never Be You, Jeff treats each frame like a stand-alone painting—honest, emotional, and alive.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation here.
📚 Perfect for classrooms: Includes lesson prompts and project ideas for middle and high school students.
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