Scott’s ‘Everything’ brings a lifetime of art to Opp gallery – The Andalusia Star-News

From sketching strangers in a doctor’s office as a boy to preparing nearly 80 paintings for his latest exhibition, Josh Scott has spent a lifetime creating. Ask him to define his art, and he answers simply: “Everything.”

That word now serves as the title of his newest exhibition, which the Opp Cultural Arts Center will showcase as part of naming him September Artist of the Month.

Scott, a proud father and award-winning painter, has shown his work at the arts center and in galleries across South Alabama for about 14 years. He works primarily in oil, acrylic and mixed media fine art, and he remains grateful to his family, friends and community for their encouragement.

“This is my third and probably last solo show,” Scott said. “I think the biggest difference would be that this time I painted more for myself rather than what I thought the audience might like.”

The exhibition will include between 70 and 80 paintings, about 20 of which are older works. He created the rest during the past year and has never shared them publicly.

Scott describes himself as more of an observational painter. He often works from a photograph or a still-life setup and sometimes makes a small study or sketch before he begins. He uses digital applications on occasion to experiment with color and form. As for knowing when a piece is complete, he relies on instinct. “When I get a painting to a point of completion where if I continue working on it, I’ll be detracting from it rather than adding to it,” he said.

Scott has painted for as long as he can remember, even as a child sketching people in waiting rooms. “Like as a young child sitting in the doctors office drawing people waiting for their appointments and then I’d show it to the doctor and he could tell me who they were,” he recalled. “‘Oh that’s Mrs. Smith.’” He set art aside in his late teens and early 30s to play music, but he eventually returned to painting. “Looking back I wish I would’ve kept at it,” he said. “I’d probably be a much better painter now.”

Scott plans to let the audience guide the conversation. At the gallery, he will ask visitors to take part in a survey naming their three favorite pieces. “Actually I’ll be doing a survey at the gallery to find out what everyone’s 3 favorite paintings are so I don’t want to influence anyone’s response,” he said. “If you plan on coming by to see the show please participate, I would really appreciate it.”

He doesn’t approach his art with a mission statement or activist message, though he welcomes conversation about technique, inspiration and process. “In person we could talk about a particular painting or inspiration, my process and techniques or tools and what not but I don’t really have a message,” Scott said. “I’m not an activist or anything like that, I just like to paint.”

Scott said he hopes the show resonates with audiences and that the work finds new homes. “I hope they love it and they all sell so I don’t have to take any of them back home with me,” he said with a laugh. “Seriously though, there’s a big variety of subjects so I think everyone will find something they like.”

He also offered thanks to those who made the exhibition possible. “I however would like to say thank you to everyone at Opp Cultural Arts Center for giving me the opportunity once again to show the public what I do and a very big thank you to everyone who takes time out of their day to come by and see the show,” Scott said.

For Scott, Everything reflects not just the title of a show but the spirit of his work. His art spans subjects and styles, bound together by his determination to create for the love of painting.

“We are delighted to feature Josh Scott, a well-known talented artist, as our September artist of the month at the Opp Cultural Art Center,” OCAC Artistic Director Liz Ramer said. “Josh‘s diverse portfolio includes captivating portraits, figures, landscapes, and mouthwatering food depictions. I extend an invitation to everyone to visit and admire his stunning artwork, with the opportunity to acquire a piece for themselves.

The center will host a show and reception in his honor on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., at the OCAC, located at 107 S. Main St. in downtown Opp.