Born in 1969 in Texas, from humble roots, Todd White is an
artist whose profile and popularity have increased to the point
where his distinctive style and iconic status are recognised across
the world.
Until White can conceptually see the stories in his head, he
will not paint. He always names his pieces first, visualises faces
and personalities and then develops each persons story.
The stark unembellished delivery of his subjects is very much
intended - what isn't necessary to the story does not go onto
the canvas. Hands are a focal point for White, reflecting the
subjects state of mind almost as much as facial expressions. He is
a full time observer, noticing what others don't, always studying
and absorbing figures, faces, features, for later reference.
Subconsciously, compulsively, he spends his life people watching,
scribbling down sketches whatever the situation (often on napkins,
even tablecloths) to record an idea for his next work.
White's painting are captivating, demanding repeated viewings,
and often evoking laughter or familiar emotions. His desire to
reveal his subjects' innermost feelings provide timeless scenes of
attraction and intimacy; beneath the exaggerated features and
textured skin of his characters there is truth, both ours and
theirs. We experience the subjects in White's work every day , but
because his perception is so unusual he alters the way we perceive
the people we encounter and the roles we play around each other.
He studies body language, utilizing the nuances of his source
material to capture the subtleties of what one shows and what one
hides.
White was chosen from hundreds of artists as the official artist
of the GRAMMY® AWARDS in 2007, the worlds most prestigious music
event, and in 2009 Todd was invited by WARNER BROS. to contributed
to a major exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the
WIZARD OF OZ.
Then in 2010 the most famous brand in the world Coca-Cola took
six sketches of his and placed them on their bottles allowing White
to be the first fine artist in history to have his own trademark
signature on to a Coca-Cola bottle.
White ended 2010 with the release of his first book THE ART OF
TODD WHITE and following a string of record-breaking shows in the
Europe White returned to the United States to even greater acclaim,
and has since become one of the most collectable and successful
living artists in the world.