EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY YOUR MOVE
Your Move - Talent in the City
Todd was named the official artist at this year's GRAMMY Awards - the musical equivalent of the Oscars - in February, where he was commissioned by the Recording Academy to promote the prestigious music event.
In Liverpool. Some of his new UK canvas editions are on sale. Todd's work is available to buy from £200 up to a staggering £10,000. However, one painting of foil music icon, Ryan Adams, can be yours at £20,000. With such top end prices it's no wonder Todd can count Hollywood stars such as Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas, Vin Diesel and Macaulay Culkin amongst his clients.
Can you explain the idea behind your tour of the UK?
It's really just for me to get a feel for all the people in Europe and to expose my work. It's been really busy for me in the States. So it's been good that I've had a chance to take a break this year and come visit the UK. It's just nice to get out here. The show at Hepplestone Fine Art Gallery in Ecclestone, Chorley was amazing. I don't ever get the opportunity anymore to get out and meet people, so it's really nice to be entering this new market. So, we're doing a 12-city tour and getting to meet a lot of people.
Have you visited Liverpool before?
Never. This is my first time. I'm excited to be here and love what I've seen of the city already. I wish I was staying in Liverpool longer, but, due to bad scheduling, we've got to leave early in the morning so I'm only in the city for one night. But we're having fun.
What was it like growing up in Texas for you?
Well, I left Texas when I was very young at 20. All my memories about Texas involve doing sports and my time at high school. By the time I arrived in Los Angeles, I started to get my 'legs' as an animator/artist. While I grew up painting in Texas, the whole time with my mam, it was only the sort of thing you do as a child. But the great thing about growing up in artistic family is that I was encouraged to pursue painting as a career. Every kid likes art, but as you get older people put the pressures of the real world on you. However, my parents were never like that. I was encouraged to paint. And the opportunity arose to get out of town and head for California, which I took.