Frederick, MD

Just before the pandemic, my friend Blaine Young approached me about painting a mural on the side of a dugout at McCurdy Field in Frederick City. The mural would overlook the spot where Scotty’s Bus once parked—a cherished community landmark. At the time, I didn’t know who Scotty was, but as I learned his story, I was honored to bring his legacy to life.

In the 1960s, Raymond Scott Sr., known as “Scotty,” transformed a school bus into a a food truck before food trucks were popular. A brown painted brown, he outfitted it with stoves, counters, and seating, creating a space where people of all backgrounds could gather and enjoy classics like hamburgers, hot dogs, and ham sandwiches, but it was his secret “Scotty Sauce” that people couldn’t get enough of.

Scotty’s Bus quickly became a Frederick icon, serving the community for more than 30 years. It wasn’t just about the food; the bus became a melting pot of stories, conversations, and connections. “When you came on there, it didn’t matter if you were Black, white, rich, or poor,” recalled his son, Chip Scott Jr., who worked alongside his father for 25 years. Scotty created a welcoming space that brought people together in a unique way.

After Scotty passed away in April, the city honored his legacy by renaming a roadway “Scotty’s Bus Lane.” Around the same time, Blaine asked if I could recreate a watercolor painting of Scotty by renowned artist Rebecca Pearl as a mural. Once I understood Scotty’s incredible impact on the community, I was more than thrilled to be a part of the project.

The process was both challenging and rewarding. Id like to thank Sunbelt Rentals sponsored the scaffolding, while McCormick Paints provided the materials. Preparing the wall was a meticulous task: priming the brick with masonry primer, applying the base coat, sketching the image, and finally painting the mural. The weather was unpredictable, with one storm bringing winds of up to 50 mph, tearing down tarps and banners. Despite the chaos, the work continued.

One memorable moment was watching a friend climb the scaffolding for the first time. It reminded me of my childhood, scaling the scaffolding around Keeney and Basford Funeral Home when my father restored its exterior. Her joy was infectious—it felt like watching a child explore a playground.

As I painted, people from the community stopped by daily to share their stories about Scotty. They spoke of his kindness, his legendary sauce, and the sense of belonging his bus created. Hearing these heartfelt memories gave me a profound connection to the man whose face I spent hours recreating. Though I never met Scotty, I came to understand him through the eyes of those he touched.

Rebecca Pearl’s original painting captured Scotty’s spirit beautifully, and I worked hard to channel the emotions from the stories into the mural. By the end, I felt I had not only painted an image but also preserved a piece of Frederick’s history for future generations. It was a project I’ll never forget—an incredible tribute to a great man who truly made the community a better place.