Artist Uses Library Lawn As Studio

Drive by and you might see Javon Walker in his makeshift art studio.

Walker, who was working on his latest painting Sept. 8 on the grassy area between the library’s parking lot and Schoenbeck Road, said he enjoys getting some fresh air while he works.

“I’m an artist for a long time,” said Walker, who stood in paint-covered clothes, surrounded by his paints and brushes. “I just decided one day it would be good to take it to the open air.”

The painting he was working on was based on a photograph of a woman sitting in a chair. Walker said he was not trying to duplicate the image, but reproduce it with his own artistic interpretation.

“If I see something that’s interesting to me, I try to turn it into art,” he said.

Walker said he has not displayed his work in galleries or actively marketed his final products, though “they can be for sale.” Instead, the Arlington Heights resident hopes to one day sell his work in auctions or have it exhibited permanently in a museum.

Until then, he’s content to create his work on the library’s lawn, where some passersby gave him curious looks last week before heading into the building.

“I’m here during the day certain days,” Walker said. “If you drive by, you’ll see me out here.”