Exclusive Todd White Interview with Hot Magazine

The Color of White
By Cassie Gibbons

It's 2 am and while most Santa Clarita residents are asleep in their beds, acclaimed artist Todd White is wide awake and working, White burns them midnight oil creating images of martini-toting socialites, nail-biting vixens, and pursed-lipped musicians loitering in moody bars, beckoning bedrooms and smoky nightclubs.

A description of his work reads,

"Within the exaggerated features and texture skin of his characters lies truth - yours and theirs."

He is celebrated among celebrities. His sexy, intimate pieces are demanded by such high profilers as Hugh Hefner, Vin Diesel and Glenn Close.

With creativity and enthusiasm on his palette, White's life as a painter has been a journey of chance, excitement and challenge.White wanted to be an artist since sixth grade. Hating math and having little ability to spell, it was then he knew what he wanted. Gaining inspiration from comic books and his mother, an art teacher, he would first copy comic books and as time grew he began creating his own characters.

While drawing at a local comic store in Texas, White's destiny became apparent.  An executive from Warner Brothers was visiting his booth and gave White the opportunity of a lifetime - going and working at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank as production assistance for Tiny toons Adventures and then for character clean up a year later.  The years following brought much success.

Having never attended any form of art school, White landed the job as one of the artists for the hit show SpongeBob SquarePants with John Kricfalusi of Ren and Stimpy fame.  After working with Kricfalusi, White's future as an artist was assured.

White on hiatus from SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon Studios would host "Galleries" and Todd became a frequent featured artist.  His paintings would sell out before the evening was over.  White was growing in popularity while maintaining a grueling schedule.  He would pain six days a week, and on Sundays he would work solely on SpongeBob.

When Spongebob went into syndication and the constant production ceased, White has the time to focus only on his art "I just have this amazing ability to bring personality to my characters" says White,  And it is true.  Most of White's paintings are shown throughout Hollywood where many onlookers contest that they can relate to most, if not all, of White's works.

This is because white is known for finding his inspiration from "real" people.  He always makes sure to bring a pencil and paper everywhere he goes.  If White hears a funny joke or witnesses a compelling moment amongst a large group of friends, he portrays it on paper.

Those real moments captured on canvas are avidly sought after by art collectors across the country.  His paintings are sold throughout the United States, and he has recently sold some pieces to galleries in the United Kingdom. White's paintings range anywhere from $4,000 to $65,000.  White also takes special requests for a mere $6.000 to $12,000 a piece.

When White isn't portraying "real" life characters you might find him teaching Brazilian Jiu-jitsu or just roaming around the mall

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"I love to shop! I am such the clotheshorse,"

explains White

"I have also recently gotten into furniture shopping and I just can't stop!"

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White's success is enviable: He has managed to make his passion his life's work.  Even though his work is in such high demand at the moment, he still loves doing it

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"I refuse to produce less-quality work just to get more out there,"

White confesses

"I don't want to just be a good artist - I want to be legendary!"