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Scott at Work |
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About the Artist |
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Scott Baldassari: Born in Chicago, 1961. Inspired and an encouraged by a Great Grandfather, Uncle, and Aunt who were/are all Professional Artists. Tutored under several excellent Artists, but without any "institutional" art education, I am a self taught artist who has been drawing and painting as I’ve seen fit since childhood. Left Chicago in the 1970s and traveled around the country (and "played Hippie") for several years, before returning to the City to work with a successful family contracting business ("where I played businessman"). Big City Burn out caused me to sell out and move to the Hills of Arkansas to search for a simpler life. Got off the electricity grid, dumped the television and the telephone, started raising vegetables, and all sorts of small livestock ("played Hillbilly"), and finally, seriously pursued a life of Art. I did the Art & Craft show circuit for a few years discovering that re-selling my prints through shops was more "lucrative". Several years ago, with over 300 shops and galleries in a dozen different states selling my work, I realized I was becoming a pretty successful traveling salesman, but creating very little art. I stopped traveling, and began painting "plein air" landscapes around Newton County. For the last few years I have spent my weekends and sunny days in the creeks, on the bluffs, and at Scenic Points on the side of Highway #7, Painting and peddling my work (It’s a rough life, but somebody’s got to do it). I still do a couple Art & Craft Shows a year, maybe one or two "One Man Shows", and I keep a few shops and galleries in Northwest Arkansas that sell my work. Currently, I am working on half a dozen commissions, and looking forward to my weekends on the side of the road, Painting and Peddling. Life is Good…always has been. |
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To contact me: |
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About the Work I Paint with Acrylics on Canvas and Hard board. Much of my work is a snapshot in time of Newton County Arkansas. It sounds cliché, but this area really is a throwback in time. People still collect eggs, ride horses, work mules, and we even have “Constables” & “Bootleggers”. Church is a most important part of local society and we have “pie suppers” and “benefit auctions” on a weekly basis. Old folks watch the cars go by from their front porch, and a good portion of the population keep gardens. Turkey Hunting, Berry Picking, Bread making, and raising livestock are discussed more often than I-Pods, the Internet, HDTV, and new car payments. Hidden Mushroom and Ginseng patches, forgotten homesteads, and hard to find Caves and Waterfalls are more sought after more than the newest restaurant or the latest TV show. I suppose that is why I am here, life is what I paint. These Paintings and reproductions were virtually all painted on location in Newton County, probably the hilliest, least populated, and most Beautiful County in the State of Arkansas. The Prints are Limited Edition Reproductions made with Archival Inks on Acid Free Paper. The Frames are built by the Artist, from local Barn wood recycled from fallen buildings around the area. When the weather “suits”, I can usually be found Painting Plein Air at some scenic place in Newton County. “I want people to be able to look at my work and feel the Peace and Serenity that I get from the Ozark Mountains. There is a Good and Simple way of living here, that is rapidly disappearing. When these Old Oak Barns finally give out—If they are replaced at all—are replaced with ugly metal buildings. When the Ole Mule Farmer leaves this world, his tools are auctioned off as “antiques”, and no one learns to re-use them.” “I think its sad that most of our children will grow up never knowing what its like to go out and fetch their own eggs from their own chickens if they want breakfast; to spend the day hangin’ out at their own private swimming hole, to catch fresh catfish, a squirrel, or some venison in your backyard for dinner. To help Dad cut and haul firewood in the forest, or help Mom can the blackberries or cook the vegetables you just picked.” “There’s just a few really good things in Life worth holdin’ on to. Sometimes it seems were losin’ some of the best of ‘em.” |