At the age of 20, Scott began seriously painting when he became associated with the Portrait Society of America whose headquarters are located in Tallahassee, FL. While completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Florida State University, Waddell received private instruction from Portrait Society Vice Chairman, Ed Jonas. Jonas, an accomplished painter and sculptor introduced Waddell to another young painter named Douglas Flynt, a recent alumnus of Waterstreet Atelier. Flynt became Waddell's mentor and introduced him to the many concepts he continues to elaborate on in his current work.

After briefly attending the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, Waddell returned to the U.S. to study with Jacob Collins at the Waterstree...