About David Scotland...
Perhaps there’s a very
good reason why “His Imperial Madness” is often introduced to others with the
phrase, “Warning: Artistic Content.” That’s because although the artist known
as David Geoffrey Scotland had an early life filled with challenges,
adventures, dangers, and obstacles, he has managed to maintain “a certain way
of being in the world” – that of a highly creative, prolific, outspoken, and multi-talented
Renaissance artist creating happily ever after and inspiring others to do the
same… no matter what the critics and skeptics say.
Whether it was sitting
on the laps of his Nana or Papa to start playing piano at age 2, to waving his
arms in perfect time to the music “conducting” the symphonies playing on his
dad’s record player at home, to harmonizing with his mother while they sang “The
Muffin Man” or “This Land is Your Land” a cappella and in perfect pitch at age
3, to performing as concert pianist with professional chamber groups and
symphonies from ages 12 to age 16 including the West Coast Premiere of Jean
Francaix’s “Concertina,” music became his first love and even helped him
survive the unthinkable. But more on that later.
He composed his first
song at 7 about having to move away from his best friends, Shane & Tiana,
and his second and third songs were composed at 12 – a ragtime piece for his
great grandmother, GG, and a classical piece for his Nana. Then, in his late
teens (he can’t remember the exact age), he composed a short little
jingle-ditty for the opening of a training video produced by his mother that
won a national award under the former Disney University program called
“Marketing the Good News.” His formal study of music began with Stan Trogan
(whose musical lineage goes back to Beethoven), Grand Dame Nellie Tholen (whose
musical lineage goes back to Busoni), Father Gary Uhlenkott at Gonzaga
University, and then Thom Blaylock -- who was not only friends with Pavarotti
but also vocally coached some of Broadway’s best including two of Andrew Lloyd
Weber’s favorite “Christines” from Phantom of the Opera.
He’s also an
accomplished writer, author, poet, composer, singer, teacher, healer, and more…
In 1988 he graduated
with honors from Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington, and was also awarded
“the most talented” for the class of 1988. He won first place in every talent
show he entered from junior high school all the way up through college, was
awarded “Most Talented Musician” as a band geek, and although everyone signed
his junior high and high school yearbooks with things like “Can’t wait to see your
music videos,” or “Stay sweet cuz you’re a star,” or “You’re gonna go all the
way, Davy Crockett” he never interpreted his life the way his fellow classmates
did. He thought he was just being normal, being himself. Perhaps it was
foreshadowing, but the high school drama teacher, Mr. Clegg, was so impressed
by the artist as a young man that he allowed David to letter in drama even
though he was never officially in the drama program.
Well, such were the
accomplishments of his “day job” as an honors student and musician.
By night, since the age
of six, David was involved in some aspect of show business because while mom
and dad had their day jobs in administration and management, the whole family
transformed into performing artists by evening. Whether it was playing piano
for professional dinner theatres from ages 9-12, to watching literally
thousands of hours of mom’s rehearsals for live theatre, radio, TV (including
her own ground-breaking kids TV show of 14 years called “Kids on Cable” which
featured a story, an art project, and local talented youth), David isn’t just
your run-of-the-mill theatre brat. As a former U.S. Marine’s son, that means
he’s also a military brat who has enormous pride in being an American, and he’s
not afraid to show it or get in anyone’s face about why America is not just an
important country, either, but that America is an important IDEA that needs to
be protected now and forever.
And although it took
him quite some time to get over being teased by being called Davy Crockett,
David Scotland now appreciates the irony of also being a rebel and “pioneer” of
sorts as he travels a winding path, becoming king of his own “wild frontier.”
It’s no wonder one of
his favorite quotes is by Lao Tzu: “Everyone seems so clever and self-assured.
I alone appear unlearned and original, insistent upon a different direction
than other people pursue.” It hasn’t gone unnoticed, either, that another one
of his favorite quotes follows this same philosophy of “dancing to his own
tune” and is by Davy Crockett himself: "I bark at no man's bid. I will
never come and go, and fetch and carry, at the whistle of the great man in the
White House no matter who he is." Maybe that’s why His Imperial Madness is
often called nothing but an S.O.P. -- after all, the Sovereign Of Pop wouldn’t be caught dead answering
to anyone other than the Divine Creator, right? (Humor H.I.M. -- he likes to
think so.)
In college, David
started fine-tuning his creative ambitions. First, by learning how to power-up
a 10,000 watt terrestrial radio transformer as a DJ on his own radio show on
KEWU 89.9 FM, “The Jazz Station” which ran every weekend (from 6am to noon,
folks!) for 1.5 years with a coverage area of eastern Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
and even southern Canada (no kidding!). The radio bug definitely bit him… but
good, too. And thus began his love affair with yet another side of “the biz.”
He has since produced for radio, TV, live theatre, commercials, and the movies.
One of his goals is to win the next Oscar in his family since his cousin, Bill
Thomas, won for best costume design for “Spartacus” in addition to successfully
heading costume design at the Walt Disney Studios for over twenty years.
In university David took
six years to earn what he calls his B.A. -- plus his four “major minors” (he
had surpassed the requirements for the minor by at least 8 classes and was,
instead, only 1 or 2 classes away from getting the major until he got bored).
They were: English, Business for Radio/TV/Film, Art History, and Music. He
entered Gonzaga University with Honors at Entrance with a Regent Scholarship,
then attended Eastern Washington University, University of Portland, and
finally graduated with a B.A. in Management of Human Resources from George Fox
University.
Unfortunately at the
age of 26, his dreams of going into show business were severely cut short. His
oncologist gave him only ten years to live after diagnosing him with a rare
blood disorder called polycythemia vera which, for David, was the cancerous
version of the overproduction of red blood cells – or what he can now
humorously consider to be the symptoms typical of a classic overachiever. But
having a steely willingness to see the positive and creative rather than the
negative and destructive, he chose no western medical treatment of any kind,
rejecting the notion that only drugs or surgery do anything other than further
poison the body. Instead, he cured himself using his own diligent research and a
highly disciplined private healing regimen. The result is that he’s 100% cancer
free and has been since 2003 – two years before his “deadline.”
And the really good news is, that through his ongoing
research, fierce determination, unyielding willpower, deep spiritual practice
and reverence for Life (he is an ordained minister and monk, as well), he ended
up proving the doctors and oncologist wrong and gave the cancer, itself, a
deathblow -- using all natural healing methods of diet, herbs, yoga, Rife
technology, lots of prayer and a highly disciplined spiritual practice
including meditation. That meant meditating for up to 6 - 8 hours a day sitting
in absolute stillness, silence, and sheer bliss consciousness.
Say what you will. Evidently, it works.
Looking back, the fear, confusion, and anger concerning the
truth about why certain alternative healing methods aren’t allowed in the
United States did not deter him, but made him stronger. It was at that point he
promised God that he would spread the word about all he knew and would continue
to learn about health and healing, so that others would be able to empower
themselves with better choices and have access to the many truths about healing
and cures that are not allowed to be told or used (YET!) no matter what laws
are passed about so called “healthcare.”
David says, “The unhealthy manmade world made me very sick,
but the naturally-created world healed me. I am extremely relieved and grateful
to have discovered this truth so early on.”
The result is that he’s very much alive and well, creating
happily ever after -- having outlived the awful so-called “death sentence.” So
hang on to your hats. He’s just warming up, oh gentle ones.
He’s never been one to
go without finding some way to maximize the moment, either. So, during what he
now calls his “healing years,” David wrote two books of poetry, one non-fiction
book, became a regular columnist for a major magazine, composed lots of music,
and discovered a new highly-personal artistic love: painting. In fact, The
World Premiere of David’s New Art Movement for the 21st Century –
Companionism – was held June 8, 2006 at the Portland Art Museum in Portland,
Oregon, starring David Scotland, Tucker Smallwood of film/TV/theatre fame, and
actress Jana Cole.
To him, Companionism is about the electromagnetic oneness we
all share and how the physics of creative and artistic expressions can affect
positive transformations in ourselves and in our world. It is an art movement
celebrating what is positive, creative, healing, loving, strengthening, true, ethical,
and sharing & giving -- instead of what is negative, destructive,
diseasing, fearful, weakening, false, corrupt, and hoarding & taking.
As the founder of
Companionism, David has embarked on a national crusade and has committed
himself to a mission of serving others, creating new economies, and helping
charitable causes. This inspiring way of life was inspired not only by his own
parents, but also by seeing Marianne Williamson for the first time on Oprah and
then hearing Marianne speak in person about Mother Teresa’s work.
So, he started with the
small mom-and-pop Larson’s Bakery (Go Larson’s!) where he worked while working
his way through college. He organized a program that gave day-old bakery food
to the local homeless shelter, exposing him to the plight of the poor and
marking a turning point in his life. He offered relief to the hungry by
producing a benefit concert/fund raiser for the Clark County Council for the
Homeless in Vancouver, Washington. The benefit featured solo piano performances
by Scotland and vocal and instrumental performances by both his parents. His
talented family raised over $4,000 in cash and helped donate over two full
pallets of canned food to local homeless shelters. Giving to those in need
became one of the brightest moments in his life, thus far.
What most people don’t know about David’s paintings in
Companionism is that they have been seriously scrutinized and studied by some
of the world’s top scientists, doctors, and physicists at Arizona State
University. Using brain scan technology, something amazing was discovered about
the healing effects of his art on the viewer. In clinical trials, studies
revealed that his art increases one’s balance, strength, coordination,
flexibility, and endurance – all while the viewer’s brain goes into complete
“brain coherence” which is known to neuroscientists and neurologists as an
optimal state for high-level performance, meditation, and profound healing.
Accordingly, now that his secret “methods” have been
scientifically proven and medically shown to be very special forces of uplifting,
spiritual, healing, and creative power on the planet at this time (rather than a
negative destructive force) he has absolutely no problem with all the many naysayers,
negaholics, and preachers of doom. As far as David is concerned, when asked how
he handles skeptics and negative people, he responds with “Don’t even care,
don’t care. I have to say to them, ‘Why don’t you go find a nice life for
yourself, and worry about important things. Stop spending your life paying
attention to what you don’t want, can’t have, won’t do. That’s not only a waste
of life, time, energy, and money, it’s just insane!’”
Consequently, his artworks are held in prestigious private
and corporate collections around the world including Lady Sascha Siegel of
the Siegel Gallery in Chicago – White House Design Coordinator for President
John F. Kennedy’s Oval Office and Personal Design Coordinator for First Lady
Jackie Kennedy; as well
as those
of Dr. Eugene and Janice Ephron, Sunny Chayes, Jackie Koop, Robert G. Allen,
Mark Victor Hansen, George Krikorian, Greg Dunn, Kurt Schwenck, Randall Blaum, and
Betty Dominguez. His corporate commissions are held by Bank One Trust, Albina
Community Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Meet Me at the Top Corporation (Toronto,
Canada), GATES Foundation, The Broadway Theatre of Vista, Insight Cinema,
Layers of Light International, Blue Cap Productions, NEC Solutions America,
ConMed Corporation, The Children’s Hospital Foundation, San Diego Children's
Hospital, and Tengboche Monastery, Nepal where he exhibited the world’s first
and highest art exhibition with what he calls “Resonance Art” from Companionism.
David has also been
involved with hundreds of corporate and Hollywood VIP charity events including
working with many top stars and organizations like: Dolly Parton, Kevin Kline,
Tricia Yearwood, Danny Thomas, the Kirov Ballet, Japan’s Nihonga Art
Exhibition, The Portland Art Museum, the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center,
The Clark County Council for the Homeless, Habitat for Humanity, David Mirisch Enterprises,
The Tony Hawk Foundation, eWomen Network, Meet Me at the Top, and Layers of
Light International. David was asked by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of
greater Los Angeles to be the premiere artist for their 23rd Annual Par Wars
Celebrity Golf Tournament, and was also the premiere artist for Habitat for
Humanity's 2004 fundraising campaign in Portland, Oregon, as well as for The
Children’s Hospital Foundation in Aurora, Colorado. For more about David’s art
please see his Artist CV.
David developed his unique and unusual “healing artistry”
over the years with the help of several spiritual masters and academic teachers
and has obviously honed it down to a credible, provable science as well as a creative
force to be reckoned with – all positive, of course. He has since applied it to
all his talents as a painter, musician, writer, producer, and even sometimes as
the court jester or fool who loves to laugh, have fun, and enjoy life. He definitely
enjoys creating new projects or helping out with fundraisers from the local
level all the way up to appearing at VIP charity events with major Hollywood
stars.
To him it’s not about mere
celebrity, fantasy, spectacle, or handouts, either. It’s about lending a hand
up, as it were, to those who are looking for peace, love, wisdom, and guidance
that result from living in “right livelihood.” He earned a special endorsement
from Academy Award-Winning Actress Patricia Neal for his book "A World
Tour of Wisdom" (under his alias, David James) because he told her how
inspired he was by The Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville,
Tennessee -- where he lived in for two years. Part of the Center's mission was
to provide medical care for those in need regardless of their ability to pay.
To the artist, this was a demonstration of true charity, love, and wisdom in
line with right livelihood and “Love Thy Neighbor.”
Scotland says, "I
thought that was incredible, to actually take care of people and to love them.
There aren’t enough people who do that these days. Most people settle for the
idea -- the words but not the deeds, the action, the reality. I pity them
because they're trying so hard in their own ways, but they just don't get it. I
think all of them don't know what love is much less how to give it. It's
apparent in how they talk to people, what they say, and how small their own
capacity for unconditional joy is. That's because they're distracted by worldly
power and their own survival within that old kind of power. I don't think they
realize that God does such a much better job at being God than we do. They are
consumed and obsessed with all the lower energy stuff that must be transcended
before healing, joy, and peace can take place. Before a celebration of hope can
occur. Before freedom reigns and not shoddy American politics. I guess the old
‘tribe’ ain’t coming along for the new ride. And that’s their choice. After
all, they have free will."
Although he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 2009,
he believes this finally explains why he is the way he is, how he processes
information, why he can "see" into the future so accurately. He not
only predicted the economic downturn 5 years prior to the collapse, but also
the War in Afghanistan, the 911 attacks, the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster, and
many other "predictions" he says aren't "psychic" hits but
rather a matter of correctly seeing vectors and patterns in human behavior and
historical social cycles in a way others can’t see it or “get it.”
David says, “Having
Asperger’s Syndrome gives me plenty to be grateful for as well as plenty to be
challenged with, too. I have my good days and my bad days. Luckily, after the
diagnosis, I am better able to manage the outrageous ‘episodes’ which I can
only imagine look like fits of mania, severe depression, or outright raging
insanity to those close to me. I love them very much and I don't mean to get so
‘vociferous’ at times, but if I don't get it all out I can't function. That
sucks.”
Despite all the setbacks of problem-people, zero-cash
months, stupid mistakes, blatant failures, sleepless nights, and serious health
challenges he’s been through, he knows they are nothing more than opportunities
for him to use his life, and the lessons learned, in service to others by
providing easier avenues to them so that they may achieve their hopes and dreams
by becoming all of who they really are – by discovering and using their own
power to create positive outcomes in all areas of their life.
Finally, David’s mission in life is to allow his life to be congruent
with his true function: to be truly productive as a voice for those who have no
voice, to help people become all of who they really are, to help clear the way
for others to travel down the path of health, vitality, liberty, joy, and
wisdom in a manner that is safe & secure, loving & truthful, empowering
& fun. To him, this is the essence of being in sync with the values and
methods of Companionism.
Everyday he does the best he can to “walk the talk” of one of his favorite sayings, as told to him by his spiritual master: “Life takes care, when we let it. There is another Intelligence beyond the manmade world. But don’t take my word for it. Discover it for yourself.”
.
