Soar on Wings like Eagles
Unity "Tribute to Kenneth Scott"
Dedicated to Roy & Kay Hicks, Jr.
Metal work turned into a passion for Scott that has been part of him for over fifty years. There may not be another place in Oregon with such a broad and original statement in metals by an individual artist. The Imagination Gallery has volume beyond belief and each item expresses the creative dedication Scott has for his craft.
"Everywhere I turned there were ideas and opportunities hanging from every tree and behind every rock," Scott said. "I was consumed with the voice, the siren calls of my mistress, at all hours of every day. And little by little I learned the mysterious, even alien voice of the workbench. Whose favorite words were at first, either 'go' or 'wait.' Mostly it was just 'go,'" Scott said. Scott sees different scenes in nature and reproduces them with bronze and metal work. His pieces are true to the Pacific Northwest and depict animals native to Central Oregon or the Oregon coast. He has a strong foundation in religious beliefs, and it is almost as if he is producing art as a muse of the Great Creator.
His originality both in character and art is almost unbelievable, but that's just the way Scott conducts his life. "I can't believe it comes so naturally, but never have I had to study others for ideas or technique. In the early days of my metal-madness I purposely avoided all influence from others, which was pretty easy to do, because there were very few of us," Scott said.
Scott's Gallery comprises three smaller galleries which include bronze castings, wall art and lighting. His bronze castings include trout, hummingbirds, bald eagles, pelicans and sea lions all designed with stunning realism. "One of the most significant lessons early-on, was that I should not tell the metal what to do but express what the metal wanted to say. Something as simple as discovering a technique with the torch that would pass as the scale of a fish, which led to many, many scales of one fish, executed again and again, over and over on a crude form, with the scales bringing the suggestion of fish to what could have been simply an ugly misshapen attempt at a fish form, sleek and smooth," Scott said.
His wall art sculptures depict natural settings with rivers flowing, birds soaring or waves crashing into the shore. Each scene comes to life with the changing light sources of the day. The lyrical lighting designs are beautifully hand-crafted ornate pieces straight out of a fairy tale. Each is entirely unique, and they tend to have an elaborate antique look. With creativity pouring out of Scott, it is only fitting that his gallery would be equally overflowing as the building is surrounded by garden art structures that include gazebos, a princess carriage and a rhino that blows flames out its nostrils.
"My role in the gallery is to encourage all ages to observe and appreciate the moment. Nothing lasts forever, and on the other hand, nothing happens unless something is put into motion. My commitment is to continue the journey until I lift-off from pure joy, or burn-out, as is the natural course of all things created," Scott said. After many years having his work featured in various galleries around the world, Scott is proud to have his own gallery where his work is prominently featured. The River Run and Imagination Galleries is the only place in the world where I experienced Ken's unrivaled creative fortitude first-hand.
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