
He Creates Art that Really Sticks.
Todd Scott was born on a wintry Winnipeg morning. On the way home from the hospital, his diapers ripped and his father, always a handyman, repaired them with duct tape. OK, that's an embellishment, but there has to be some explanation for a man who is inspired to build sculptures from duct tape.
From colourful flowers to intricately detailed animals and people, duct tape is to Todd Scott what oil paints were to Van Gogh. "It's an obsession," says Scott. "I can't explain it, I just think in duct tape."
Scott, a native of Winnipeg, discovered his unusual artistic talent when he re-created the petals of a flower he was studying on a field trip. The reproduction was so accurate that his classmates challenged him to do other pieces. What followed was a collection of household items, bugs, birds, animals and more flowers. He began selling his pieces in an open-air market in Victoria, BC, surprised to learn that he could actually make money doing this.
Local media discovered his talent, and soon Scott's star was rising. BC talk show host Vicki Gabereau wanted him on her show; Arthur Black from the CBC wanted to chat; reporters were calling for interviews; something was in the air. Manco, the makers of Duck® brand duct tape, got wind of Todd and commissioned him to make a life-sized replica of Babe Ruth.
It was a huge success and Scott has been creating duct tape art ever since. He makes mascots to support local baseball and hockey teams; he crafted a bust of CNN-SI host Fred Hickman with removable glasses, facial hair and various wigs (affectionately known as "Mr. Potato Fred") for a studio interview; and he is working on outfitting an entire wedding party (bride and groom included) to be held in Los Angeles.
"I never thought I could do so much with this stuff," says Scott. "But every day I have a new epiphany and every day I have a new creation. It's the best job in the world."
In addition to duct tape epiphanies, Scott is an instructor in rock-climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking. However, his tape career is keeping him very busy. Over the next year, Scott will be doing a retail tour, various media appearances, the wedding, and an appearance at Toronto's Harbourfront in June.
To see a few examples of what Todd Scott has created, enter the Todd Scott Gallery.
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