Renaissance man
James Scott of Wheaton has had art shows before, but not like this.
Scott, who also has exhibited his work under the name James Lackey, deliberately downplayed his art this time.
Instead, he invited nine high school-age musical performers to the free event he held Dec. 8 at La Spiaza Coffeehouse in Wheaton.
One audience member joined the performers in a spontaneous a cappella rendition of a song.
"This turned into a music event," Scott said. "We had a great time."
Scott is particularly pleased that Source One Media showed up to videotape the event. He said he hopes to post portions of the resulting video on YouTube when it is finished.
Scott's artwork will remain at La Spiaza through the early days of January. More of his work can be viewed at groups.msn.com/jamesvernon.
Some pieces are striking in their focus and singleness of subject, but Scott declines to define his style.
"I would rather have someone look at it with an open mind and see what it means to them," he said. "Art means nothing without the people who are moved by it."
He's not trying to sell the art, but Scott said anyone who really wants a piece is welcome to ask.
A creative man who admits to a touch of eccentricity, Scott, 46, started drawing at the age of 3 and became serious about art at 15. A native of Chicago, he studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and at Columbia College.
Evolving as an artist, he moved from drawing to developing his talents in painting and photography. His work has appeared in a number of publications in Illinois, Minnesota and New York.
Scott also took up carpentry and antique restoration at the age of 16 -- later putting the skills to building outdoor furniture and fixtures for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Examples of his carpentry can be seen at groups.msn.com/carpentry.
But Scott didn't work just in art alone. Gifted with a deep voice, he spent 10 years as a radio announcer for three stations in Duluth, Minn., where he honed his appreciation for music.
Nancy Elaine Anderson, a friend from the arts community in Duluth, calls Scott a Renaissance man.
"He's a wonderful talent. Multi-talented," she said. "He's a fascinating person to sit and talk with."
Scott said he's still willing to do art for those who want it, but is moving from the ups and downs of artistic life into a more conventional lifestyle.
"People matter to me more than anything I can draw or any picture I can make," he said. "The people who I work with matter more than any work I do."
Those seeking to contact Scott about this artwork may reach him at artmajor84@hotmail.com.
If you go
What:Exhibit by Wheaton artist James Scott
When:Through early January
Where:La Spiaza Coffeehouse, 114 N. Main St., Wheaton
Call:(630) 221-8772