Scott Tallman Powers was born in Birmingham, Alabama. As a child he learned to draw from his father, who was a medical illustrator, photographer, and fine artist. His art education began in high school with two extremely influential and supportive instructors. This led to four years of intensive study at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he trained in the fields of oil painting, watercolor, drawing, anatomy, and sculpture. After his time at the Academy, Powers spent many years as an illustrator in a Chicago ad agency before pursuing his dream as a full-time fine artist.

Powers gets his inspiration from many different cultures throughout the world. He has travelled extensively to find the inspiration he thrives on, searching to find the balance between cultures.

Powers is a signature member of the Oil Painters of America and founder of the Plein Air Painters of Chicago. His work appears is in the Wengyuan Museum of Fine Art and the Shaoguan Museum of Fine Art in China and the Academy Museum in Easton, Maryland. His prizes include the 2012 Collectors’ Choice Award at the Coeur D’Alene Art Auction in Reno, Nevada, and the 2011 Henry Farny Award at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana. His work has appeared in publications including American Artist, Art of the West, Western Art & Architecture, Southwest Art, and Western Art Collector.