Scott O'Connor

Artist Bio

Early Life

Born in June 1971 in Portland, Oregon

Scott grew up in Portland for his first five years. He then moved across the river to Washington State, where he spent the rest of his childhood. His family initially settled in La Center, Washington about 20 miles north of the Oregon border, before moving back down south to Vancouver just across the Columbia River border from Portland Oregon. Scott’s creative interests emerged early, as he spent countless hours drawing with pencils, colored pencils, and crayons from kindergarten through grade school.

Scott’s Creative Roots

Inspired by Family, Built with Passion

Scott’s early exposure to carpentry and painting came from his parents, who were significant influences on his creative and practical skills. His parents owned apartment buildings, and his father often built kitchens and installed cabinets as well as doing a vast array of other repairs and improvements. As a young boy, Scott would accompany his dad on these jobs, helping wherever he could. He often painted apartments with his mom as well, making her an early influence on his painting. Both his parents instilled a strong work ethic in him, which shaped his approach to craftsmanship and creativity from an early age.

Early Career

After high school, Scott worked various jobs as a house painter, carpenter, and handyman from 1989 to 1993.

In July 1993, he relocated to Ventura, California, where his creative journey took a unique turn. In 1994, Scott became a driftwood artist, specializing in crafting driftwood furniture. In 1998, he secured a position as a set builder for a children’s television show, designing and constructing sets for five years. After the show’s conclusion, Scott obtained a General Contractor’s license in 2004, focusing on home remodeling and improvements. His expertise included carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing, and electrical work.

Artistic Painting Beginnings

In 2006, Scott embarked on a new path as a painter.

Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, his early works featured vibrant colors and thick paint applied directly from the tube onto canvas or wood. He often used a palette knife rather than brushes to create texture. His interest in woodworking also led him to craft custom picture frames for his paintings.

Community and Growth

Scott joined the Buenaventura Art Association in 2007

Displaying his work at galleries in downtown Ventura and Ventura Harbor. Balancing his General Contracting business with his budding artistic endeavors, Scott decided to close his contracting business in 2010 to more fully dedicate himself to art.

Diversifying Income

To support himself while pursuing art, Scott became a “picker” in 2011

He sourced items from thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, and auctions to resell on Craigslist, eBay, and at local swap meets.

Accumulating and Selling Artwork

By 2012, Scott had accumulated a substantial collection of his own paintings

Which he displayed and sold at local venues such as restaurants and coffee shops as well as a bank and an office building. Palermo Pizzeria in Ventura became a particularly successful venue, with the supportive owner selling over 100 of Scott’s pieces.

Shift to Wood Art

In 2015, Scott discovered a significant quantity of high-quality wood while searching Craigslist for free materials.

Initially intended for resale and picture frame construction, the wood inspired him to create art pieces showcasing the wood itself as the focal point. This marked the beginning of his wood wall art phase, which remains a cornerstone of his work today. Over time, he collected approximately 20 truckloads of this exceptional wood. He used it to create several art pieces and sold a select portion of it to others who appreciated its quality.

Video Creation and Present Day

In March 2017, Scott began documenting his creative process through videos

Posting his first video on YouTube that same month. His artistic portfolio now includes a blend of paintings and wood art, reflecting his passion for both mediums and his commitment to evolving as an artist.

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