| Scott LoBaido | |
| Birth Date: | 6 April 1965 |
| Birth Place: | Staten Island, New York |
| Education: | New Dorp High School |
| Occupation: | Painter |
Scott LoBaido (born April 6, 1965)[1] is an American artist known for patriotic, US Flag, and political themed paintings and sculptures. LoBaido is currently based out of Staten Island, New York. He is most well known for his paintings of flags.
Scott LoBaido was born St. Vincent’s Hospital in the West Brighton neighborhood in Staten Island. LoBaido attended New Dorp High School.[2]
In 2006, LoBaido embarked on his Flag Across America tour. He traveled across United States in a 1989 Chevy Suburban, painting a US flag on a rooftop in each of the 50 states. [3] [4] In order to make the tour possible, he relied on donations of paint, food, and money. During September ABC news named him person of the week.[5]
In 2015, Scott LoBaido conducted a second Flags Across America tour. This tour he painted a US Flag on an American Legion or a VFW post in every state.[6] [7] The tour began on February 21, 2015, at American Legion Post 202 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.[8] In 2016 during the 117th National Convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, LoBaido was presented with VFW Americanism Award in recognition of the VFWs and American Legions that were painting in 2015.[9] [10]
In 2010, LoBaido and assistants painted what was then the largest mural on the roof of Lamons Gasket Company near Hobby Airport.[11] He began Flag Day June 14 and completed it on Independence Day July 4. The mural was 150,000 square feet, it used 900 gallons of paint and cost nearly $50,000. LoBaido called the painting a birthday gift to America.[12] In 2015 Scott LoBaido built memorial tributes to the 24 people that died on Staten Island from Hurricane Sandy.[13] LoBaido then appeared on Steve Harveys Veterans Day episode and presented Harvey with a painting of Harvey with a US Flag background.[14] In 2018 LoBaido sculpted "Breaking Through Barriers". "Breaking Through Barriers" is a public arts project that promotes autism awareness.[15]
LoBaido has been a vocal supporter of the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump. In 2016 LoBaido's painting of Donald Trump was seen held by Eric Trump . LoBaido sculpted a 12-foot-tall letter T for Sam Pirrozola's lawn, a Staten Islander who is now assemblyman. The T, which was in support of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, was torched and investigated by the New York City Fire Department.[16] "POTUS 45" is a painting by LoBaido in which Donald Trump is fit and muscular, a symbolic rendition of Lobaido's belief in Trump's ability as a president.
LoBaido is also known to participate in protests, once throwing pizzas at New York City Hall to protest restrictions on coal and wood-fire ovens.[17]