"Art should be like a good pill, something to regenerate the spirit and provide strength." Scott Kennedy
ABOUT SCOTT KENNEDY...
While working from his home situated on a picturesque hill overlooking La Bufadora Cove at the tip of Baja’s Punta Banda, Scott Kennedy finds plenty of visual inspiration right in his own backyard.
Originally from Newport Beach, Kennedy’s unique artistic talent was recognized long before he had reached his teens. He held his first professional art exhibit at the age of 13, and quickly sold out of every piece that he had on display. In 1967 - at just 16 years old - Governor Ronald Reagan bestowed upon him the honor of rendering the California Governor’s mansion.
Kennedy had been drawn to the vastness of Mexico’s artistic depths and, in 1972, he enrolled at the Bellas Artes de Mexico in San Miguel de Allende. At this institution, modeled after the Académie des Beaux–Arts for its unique classical approach, he further developed his skills. In 1973 - at the age of 21 - Kennedy left San Miguel de Allende and moved to the southern islands off Denmark.
In Europe, he purchased a 1936 Fishing Kutter. The vessel was equipped with a giant one-cylinder diesel engine, two short masts, and a fish hold. The living quarters were "adequate".
Scott Kennedy (R) with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, 1967
Kennedy began learning the art of shipbuilding – along with the Danish language – while working with Danish shipwrights during the restoration of his vessel into a sailing ketch with his wife Karen.
During the next ten years, Kennedy produced hundreds of ink drawings rendering his new environment in Denmark. Tens of thousands of reproductions depicting notable harbors, local scenes, and unique ships were sold. Kennedy also produced collection upon collection as he traveled nearby amongst the idyllic villages and centuries-old cities.
His publications quickly drew attention due to his unique style and eye for detail. Locals would often comment to Kennedy that his meticulous drawings of the majestic architecture now inspired them to look up to see the beauty that they had taken for granted.
Scott Kennedy was awarded commissions in three northern German cities - Lubeck, Flensburg and Bremerhaven - as well as several Maritime Museums in Germany and Holland. His renderings raised awareness and appreciation for the beauty of nearby historic structures, resulting in restorations or historical designations rather than the removal or destruction of many of them.
After his return to the United States in 1983, Kennedy took a life ashore, residing in many coastal areas - including the Northwest and East coast - where he continued to paint and draw.
Most notable of his works are his depictions of scenes in his hometown of Newport Beach. The character of the city is uniquely captured with aesthetic values developed from experiences in his early years. His involvement in the area’s waterfront also led to commissions that chronicled both the America’s Cup and the Newport-to-Ensenada races.
Scott Kennedy is currently living and working on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula, just south of Ensenada. One of his personal projects takes him on regular southward excursions to complete a collection of works inspired by John Steinbeck’s legendary novel The Log of the Sea of Cortez. Kennedy’s inspiration for this yet to be published collection comes from his long-time friendship with Thom Steinbeck, John’s son.