Justin Scott – Biography 

Born in Leeds in 1971, Justin Scott lived on a river Boat in York until 1973 for the first two years of his life, which he still remembers. 

His teachers & his gran realised he had zero academic retention, but could draw with good accuracy. 

Justin Scott's first introduction to art & sculpture was when his father moved the family to the artisan fishing village of Staithes—age 9. 

In 1980, the then bustling fishing village were home to artists Fred Willians and Ian Crowden who were themselves inspired by a previous Victorian art renascence around the turn of the 19th century. 

"I was influenced by the fishing cobles their names Gratitude, Staithes Lass etc.. the paintings the pottery, the pottery sculptures, the big-as-you-like real characters who lived there. truly inspirational lives, hardened fishermen and rugged coastline.” Justin explains. 

Justin continued to struggle academically, whilst trying to fulfil his father's wishes to become an engineer. Stumbling upon a general arts course, though previously told by his art teacher, he wasn't anything out of the ordinary. suddenly found himself receiving Merits & distinctions for artwork produced. 

Finally, in 1990, he choose to study at Carmarthenshire College of Art, Figurative Sculpture. Their practical set-up was unsurpassed. “We cast Bronze sculptures, I even worked on the most famous sculptor's work of the time Barry Flanagan.” Justin enthusiastically says “and the Merits and Distinctions kept on coming. Fibreglass hanging figure, bronze painted. I soon realised I needed to move to the city to become a successful artist, but I'm a nature-loving countryman.” 

In 1999 after trying out for a theatrical/museum sculpting company, Scenic Route, not impressed by their £100 a week offer of work, he decided to make his own portfolio. Dead figure made for Scenic Route, Crocodile for a friend's lakeside garden, Moss woman for a waterfall. The Mussel man, for the sailing club in Whitby harbour. etc... 

Whilst on holiday snowboarding in Ischgl Austria 2000, Justin was getting bored of going up & down the slopes. On the Tuesday in his hotel Olympia in the evening, he saw an older man late 70s with red bomber jacket covered in badges, hat full of shiny hat pin badges. Order a full bottle of scotch whisky, & down a slug "Excuse me sir, what's up..?" Justin asked with an air of concern, “My name is Camilian Belanger I've come here to make snow sculptures, & Inglebert who does not sing as he is ill! I can not complete my sculpture. I have failed Ischgl, I have failed Canada" and with that, he took another slug of whisky. 

Now Justin wanted to say "Gees buddy this is your lucky day, I happen to be a fully qualified figurative sculptor". Instead, he said, "Excuse me I will help if you show me the ways of the snow". "Ma oui, you will give up your holiday to help me?" Camilian exclaimed. "Yes" came the eager response from Justin. "I can not believe it, meet me here tomorrow at 8am." And that's as we say was that Camilian showed Justin how and when to work the snow. He saw Justin’s portfolio that his girlfriend helped set up. Showed it to the organisers, they asked if he were invited, would he come? 

2001 saw Justin’s first snow sculpture of Shutz Sagittarius,and he’s been going on and off ever since. His most famous snow sculpture was in 2002 where he nearly won, and was just pipped by the famous wood carving artist and most decorated snow sculptor Ivo Piazza. The judging was so close, the sculptors had already talked among themselves, Ivo took first place shook my hand smiled and left the room. Then without my knowledge, the rest of the sculptors lined up and shook my hand. saying “Bravo, amazing we believe your sculpture was the best.” This in itself was a great accolade and one Justin will never forget. “These people have become family. And for a country with No snow, I thought we'd done alright!” 

Justin works as a self-employed Tree Surgeon, Gardener and Hedge sculptor. The wavey hedge in Hornbeam is one of his greater works of LIVING sculpture. finally finished in 2019 after seven years of training. 

In life, he gets bored, this boredom or restlessness has found many outcomes. 

House restorer 1997 

Yachting, coastal winner, bay race & pursuit race overall winner 1999 

Advanced White water Kayaker, instructor & river leader 2002 

Leeds Canoe Club Chairman 2003 

World Solo Backpacker in 2005 leading to Advanced Diver certification Vietnam, Thailand, Fiji, Oz, Hand gliding Pilots licence in Australia, Kayaker of French alps, Nepal rivers Seti, Nz Buller gorge. 

Cycle touring the full length of NZ 

Starting his own business “Justin Thyme for Trees and Gardens” in 2006 

Becoming a father of an Adorable disabled son 2008. 

Returning to Austria time after time 

Eventually marrying his Serbish Lover “I'd truly fallen in Love with.” 

2019+ Restoration of 1971 Sailing Boat, which inspired him to write with two articles published. 

“Ischgl holds many memories, some tragic, some rewarding, some amazing. it's the whole package, The ART of Life, Lust, Dance...” Justin explains. 

Later Justin came to faith. 

As for the sculpting, "I guess I've been lucky to have been naturally gifted. With a keen eye & great friends to help me along the way.” Says Justin, “I'd like to say a special thank you to Mr Martin Sharp, enabler & personal friend of these last 20 years, who without his technical help. I would not be the Man I am today.” 

In 2021 Justin and Martin were asked by South Shore UK to consult on the creation of “The Greatest Snowmen” TV show that aired on Channel 4 in Christmas 2021 and 2022, they used many of the ideas provided to create a compelling show that was simple enough for celebrity contestants to undertake, yet provide compelling and interesting watching for views and also showed the beauty of snow sculpting. 

May the Real Greatest Snowmen continue!