You may remember Tony Giles from his over-the-top Halloween decorations. Starting in 2009, the professional trainer became well-known locally for the eye-popping Halloween displays at his Chase Oaks neighborhood home.
Three years later, HGTV sent a film crew out for a segment on his circus-themed display. The next year, his yard was transformed into a prison filled with zombies.
By 2015, the ever-expanding Halloween display had become so popular there were lines of cars coming out of the neighborhood. Despite hiring an off-duty police officer for security on Halloween night, police had to ask him to shut down early. The roads had become so congested it was becoming a safety issue.
The next year he hired five officers and hosted his last big bash. After that, he toned things down a bit because his kids were getting older, and some neighbors had grown tired of all the chaos.
Giles has since moved, but his love of all things scary did not abate. Last November, he started his own business, Evil Seed Creations, a began selling his works. The response has been so overwhelming, it’s become a challenge to keep things in stock. Giles left his job in the fitness world and today dedicates nearly all his time to the quickly growing venture.
He says that he’s always loved to draw and decorate spaces. When he began his Halloween displays, he would often mimic movie characters. Now, everything he creates is an original.
“I always had this creative mind, but since I’ve stopped training, I’m able to be more free with my creativity,” he says.
His living room now doubles as a workspace with various creations seemingly everywhere you look. All of them and more will be on display this Saturday at the Rest in Plano (RIP) festival in downtown Plano. Included among them will be the 12-foot skeleton demon warrior he made for Halloween a couple of years ago.
While Halloween may be what he’s known for, Giles says his creations go beyond one holiday. Pumpkins may be a starting point, but he believes his works are equally suited for other occasions.
“When I’m making these, I feel like they’re museum art,” he says. “With the aesthetics of them, it’s cool to have them around year-round.”
