Scott Jacobs

Flawless, Scott Jacobs

Olive You Two, Scott Jacobs
(love the title)

Shortly after our most recent cruise I wrote about some of the various artists' works that had impressed my from the Princess Cruise Line's gallery collection. Being great fan of Realism and to a somewhat lesser degree, Photo-realism, among the other painters whose work I es-pecially liked was that of San Diego artist, Scott Jacobs. For the most part, Jacobs paints Harley-Davidson motorcycles, liquor laden still-lifes, and a few cars. My brother-in-law would love this artist. He lives and breathes Harley-Davidson. I've never ridden a cycle in my life and I never intend to. Neither have I ever painted one (I painted two toy tricycles once, if that counts). Like many artists, I've painted a few wine bottles (full and empty) but never hard liquor (I don't imbibe). I've also painted more than a few cars down through the years (mostly antiques) so I do have a feeling for the difficulty entailed in rend-ering highly polished metal and that which it reflects(above).

Endless Summer, Scott Jacobs

110 Great Years of Motorcycles,
Scott Jacobs

In 1989, Scott Jacob's wife, Sharon, gave him an easel, canvases, and paints as a Christmas gift. Shortly thereafter, Jacobs began painting and displaying his work. Around 1993, after painting two pieces, Fat Boy and Live to Ride, which featured Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Jacobs' work was seen by the motorcycle manufacturer. The company signed Jacobs as its first officially licensed artist in its fine art program, a position he continues to hold. Jacobs’ work has also been licensed by Chevrolet (below), Ford, Mattel, the Marilyn Monroe Estate, and Elvis Presley Enterprises among others. His work has appeared on Franklin Mint Collector Plates, apparel, and various home décor items. Jacobs has also been the official artist for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally numerous times. Jacobs’ original works sell for between $40,000 and $150,000. Many of his print editions are sold out.

Created from two photos, seen here in progressive photos,
In Your Dreams features Jacob's wife, Sharon, as a model
for this magazine cover.

Reflections, Scott Jacobs

Scott Jacobs is a millionaire several times over. He has seven motorcycles, four homes, and eight cars. Collectors of Jacobs' work include Willie G. Davidson, Bill Davidson, John Elway, Carl Mal-one, Don King, Dan Aykroyd, Arlen Ness, Joan Lunden, Kathy Ireland, Malcolm Forbes, the Michael Jack-son estate, Bon Jovi, and Billy Joel. Few artists can claim that kind of success...and he's only been paint-ing about twenty-six years. As with all successful artists, it didn't come easy. In Jacob's case the odds were heavily stacked against him almost from the day he was born in 1958.

Scott Jacobs combined an in-depth knowledge of the business
of selling art with a consummate talent for creating it.

Scott Jacobs was born and raised in Cranford, New Jersey, the son of two alcoholic parents. His dad used to beat Scott's mother and his brothers and sisters. Jacobs began to build his art empire shortly after graduating from High School. At 19, he purchased a struggling art gallery near his home with money earned from odd jobs. By the time he was 21, Jacobs owned three galleries. He was an art dealer for 25 years. His success as an art entrepreneur and painter brought him to the attention of the producers of ABC network's Secret Millionaire, a show which finds successful business people and, for a week, puts them undercover as working stiffs in poor areas, a sort of modern-day "Prince and the Pauper." The aim is to give the financially well-to-do an up-close look at how the other half lives.



Notice Jacobs is working on the painting turned upside down.

To get on the show, the “millionaire” must pledge to give away an agreed-upon sum at the end of his or her week in disguise. For the show Jacobs and his daughter Alexa, 19, were allowed to spend only $71.03 (the equivalent of a food stamp allowance for a two-person home) on themselves for the week. They slept in a vacant, rundown apartment in a gang-infested part of Irvington, just outside Newark. The two joined a midnight mission to find and aid homeless veterans near Newark’s Penn Station, organized by The GI Go Fund. They also spent time with Glass Roots, a charity that works with at-risk youth. Jacobs gave around $180,000, about the value of a painting and a half. He plans to give more in the future. Jacobs credits his success to a single factor: “I think one of the reasons I became the most successful person in my family financially is that my dad always told me growing up that I was a failure.” He adds, “So I was out to basically prove my parents wrong. Going back to New Jersey was a reality check. Anybody can have a reversal of fortune any time.”

Sharon, Scott Jacobs, one of his few works apart from those
having motors or alcohol.

Copyright, Jim Lane

1920s Rolls Royce, 1979, Jim Lane--
my own stab at painting bright and shiny metal.