There are countless secrets and messages in art. Some of which are apparent by simply looking at a piece of artwork while others are hidden, only to be unveiled after you take the time to speak to the artist and hear what their heart has to say. I never imagined a black and white portrait of Teddy Roosevelt would lead me to learn about someone’s pain, healing, and rebirth. But that’s the thing with art, every piece and every artist behind the piece, has a talent and a story all their own.

“God has given us all different personality types, different talents, different abilities and resources so we all have something that our hands can do. God brought artwork into my life to keep my hands and my mind occupied so I don’t go back to a place of darkness and drug addiction,” said Shane Scofield, the artist behind a new Teddy Roosevelt mural in downtown Brownwood. There is history behind every wall in this 134 year old building that stretches down Fisk Avenue in downtown Brownwood and Scofield’s work has only intensified the distinctive identity of Teddy’s Brewhaus.

Scofield said, “I dabbled in art when I was a kid but then I fell into drug addiction and from then art was on the back burner. I went to jail in 2001 and in that place of isolation God brought a person to encourage me to get reacquainted with childhood desires. You know those innocent desires of my heart and I had to learn to forgive people. Jail is where I found forgiveness, mercy, grace and Jesus. I got my bible and I just started drawing portraits of people in jail. I stayed after it and God has grown it. For me, art is a form of therapy.” Scofield decided to surrender his addiction to his talent and he has found his talents have been fruitful to not only his life but others as well. “We like it a great deal and it hit our vision,” said Jeff Tucker, owner of Teddy’s Brewhaus. Tucker first saw Scofield’s work on the Casey Rowlett building, he said he then found him on Facebook and now this part of Tucker’s vision is complete thanks to Scofield’s talent.

Scofield is very passionate about his art and he says although he’s usually commissioned for pencil portraits, the most important thing to him is serving God with his talents. He explained, “We have all been given talents, gifts, resources, and time to help our community.  A person willing to serve his neighbor can reach their neighborhood. A person who reaches their neighborhood can reach their community. A person who reaches their community can reach their state and a person who reaches their state can influence their nation. Our nation needs it now more than ever before.” Teddy Roosevelt once said something that Scofield says he relates to. He said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” He continued to explain that this reminds him of a scripture verse he likes to remember when he is feeling inadequate, insecure, and unequipped.

“Then the Lord said to him, “what is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground, it became a snake, and he ran from it.” Exodus 4:2-3 “All God gave Moses, to reach an entire nation was a staff and although at first he ran from it, he later parted the red sea with that staff,” said Scofield. “My message is do not be scared and run from what you are called to do.  No matter who you are, what you have done, or where you have come from, you live in a great neighborhood in a great city that needs your talents. So I ask you, what is that in your hand and how can you use it to positively influence your neighbor, friend, or community?  Whatever it is, use it with wholehearted reverence for The Lord. I use a paintbrush and I do it for Jesus.” Scofield says one day he hopes to open a recovery home or halfway house for men who are struggling with hurts, habits, and hang ups and teach them to use their talents to be an asset to this community and not a liability. If you are looking for Shane Scofield’s artwork you will see he signs his name as, “Israel.” Scofield says this means, “One who has wrestled with God but prevails.” He is thankful every day that he prevailed over his addiction and can now use his talents to serve God and his community. Scofield extends his utmost sincerity to Jeff Tucker, his business partners, and their families for the opportunity to help make this vision a reality for Teddy’s Brewhaus. To view the finished portrait and admire all the details of Scofield’s work, stop by Teddy’s Brewhaus in downtown Brownwood.