Items Similar to The Little Things (Original)
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 2
Todd WhiteThe Little Things (Original)
About the Item
10” x 6” Unframed
Original Acrylic on Canvas Board
Hand Signed by Todd White
Todd white captures restaurant, night and Hollywood scenes with contrasting colors serving the viewer’s eyes as those in his stolen scenes serve or are served-wine, coffee, cigarettes, cigars, and martinis. He creates timeless scenes of diverse attraction, of known intimacy. Within the exaggerated features and textured skin of his characters lies truth, yours and theirs. Distinctive bodies and details to lips, eyes, hair, skin, hands and what is held in each, separate and blend his characters’ lives. The smoke that rises from their lips, the drinks that linger at their fingertips, the clothing that adorns their bodies and the crowd created among lovers, friends, patrons and co-workers all speak a certain poetry. Each character depicts the subtleties of what one shows and what one hides. An asymmetrical face tells of an asymmetrical life, of how life wears and how we wear life — what we choose to carry in our hands and on our faces — how we wear ourselves, what smoke and color we stand in.
Todd’s paintings are captivating, demanding a second look, often invoking humor or thoughts of familiar feelings — I’ve been there, I know them. Above all, the work is infectious and has caught the attention of the public (galleries cannot keep enough of Todd’s work in stock) as well as celebrities (Vin Diesel, Hugh Hefner, Macaulay Culkin, Eric McCormack, Ryan Stiles and Joe Rogan are collectors of Todd’s oil paintings). But who is the artist behind the art and where did his unique style come from?
Todd began in at Warner Bros. Studios while working on the popular series, tiny toons. Through character clean-up and development, Todd began to forge his own artistic style. Shortly thereafter, Todd became part of the lead animation team for the internationally renowned cartoon, sponge bob square pants. Over the next three years, Todd sharpened his eye in storyboarding, illustration and character design.
Throughout this period, Todd privately experimented with style and concept, eventually arriving at a process which guides him through every piece. The impact is apparent in his paintings; Todd’s rat-pack-meets-Picasso style results, in part, from his desire to reveal his characters’ innermost thoughts and emotions on their faces. Todd likens his portraits to his favorite episode of the Twilight Zone in which people wore masks that later became their faces and revealed who they truly were.
Fast forward ten years later, and until Todd can conceptually see the story in his head, he refuses to paint a single signature knuckle curled around one of his famous martinis. "I actually name my pieces first and then i visualise each face and its personality. Then I develop each person’s story." The stark, unblemished delivery of his subjects is very much intended: whatever isn’t necessary to the story isn’t on my canvas. "I don’t waste a lot of time with backgrounds because they don’t interest me. They aren’t necessary. Instead i focus on what is essential. For example, the hands." Hands are a focal point for Todd, reflecting the subject’s state of mind as much as any body language or facial expression. Everyone’s hands are full of personality he surmises. Take Al Pacino; without his hands, he’s not nearly as interesting to watch.
In addition to more obvious influences, such as Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele, Todd credits Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Bridget Bardot, Nat King Cole and the style and feel of the age of cool. However, Todd’s flirtation with the cool cats begins and ends on the canvas. On any given afternoon, you’ll find Todd’s paint-stained hands not reaching for a fresh cigarette or a third martini, (Todd doesn’t smoke and rarely drinks anything stronger than iced tea), but rather scooping trail mix to feed wild rabbits or throwing a well worn rubber ball for his dogs. Todd keeps his afternoons free because of the one trait he has in common with ol’ blue eyes: Todd feels he does his best work in the wee small hours of the morning.
Todd experiments with style and concept, eventually arriving at a process, which guides him through every piece. The impact is apparent in his paintings; Todd’s rat pack-meets- Picasso style results, in part, from his desire to reveal his characters’ innermost thoughts and emotions on their faces. Todd likens his portraits to his favourite episode of the Twilight Zone in which people wore masks that later became their faces and revealed who they truly were.
- Creator:Todd White (1969, American)
- Dimensions:Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2177213226882
Todd White
Screen%20Shot%202020-02-22%20at%207.11_edited.jpg STORY OF AN ARTIST
Todd White Todd White's distinctive style and down to earth personality have won him an international reputation. And his profile just keeps on growing. Born in 1969 in Texas, he came from humble roots. During his twenties he relocated to Hollywood and worked in the animation field, developing characters at some of the most renowned production studios in the country. He was even part of the lead team for the international hit cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants. During this period Todd started to forge his artistic style by experimenting with style and concept. He eventually arrived at the working method that now guides him through every piece. He always names his pieces first, visualizes faces and personalities, then develops each person's story. In fact, he doesn't paint at all until he can conceptually see that story in his head. And he always tells it as directly as possible - what isn't necessary to the story doesn't go on the canvas. Hands are a focal point as he's always been impressed by how powerfully and expressively tiny gesticulations can amplify an actor's performance. ''Everyone's hands are full of personality,"' says Todd "They reflect the subject's state of mind almost as much as facial expressions." He's a compulsive observer of detail, always studying and absorbing figures, faces and features. Subconsciously, 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. His paintings captivate people. They often invoke laughter and demand repeated viewings. By revealing his subjects' innermost feelings he creates timeless scenes of attraction and intimacy. Beneath the exaggerated features and textured skin of his characters, there is truth. Both theirs and ours. Todd's subjects come from the everyday world, but his perspective is so unusual that he alters the way we perceive people and the roles we play around each other. He studies body language, using its nuances to capture the subtleties of what people show and hide. He was chosen from hundreds of artists as the Official Artist of the GRAMMY® Awards in 2007, the world's most prestigious music event. And in 2009, Todd was invited by Warner Bros. to contribute to a major design exhibition celebrating the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Todd collaborated with Coca Cola in 2010 to produce limited edition bottles and cans. His unique box signature appears right on the product, which is the first time Coca-Cola has given credit to a fine artist in this manner. In 2011 Todd was awarded one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious accolades in the shape of the Diana Princess of Wales Gold Medal, after donating his portrait of the Princess to the Diana Awards charity. Only 11 people to date, Todd now included as the only American, have been honored with the Award. Todd flew to London to officially receive the award.
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1987
1stDibs seller since 2022
16 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Markham, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Quarantine BluesBy Todd WhiteLocated in Toronto, ON23” x 12” Unframed Original Acrylic on Canvas Board Hand Signed by Todd White Todd white captures restaurant, night and Hollywood scenes with contrasting colors serving the viewer’...Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Acrylic
- No Photos PleaseBy Todd WhiteLocated in Toronto, ON42" x 31" Unframed Original - Oil on Canvas Hand Signed by Todd White Todd white captures restaurant, night and Hollywood scenes with contrasting colors serving the viewer’s eyes a...Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Jean-MichelLocated in Toronto, ON30" x 40" Oil, Acrylic and Spray on Canvas Signed by Billy MorrisonCategory
2010s Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic
- TelephoneHeadLocated in Toronto, ON36" x 36" Oil, Acrylic and Spray on Canvas Hand Signed by Billy MorrisonCategory
2010s Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic
- See The MoneyLocated in Toronto, ON36" x 36" Oil, Acrylic and Spray on Canvas Hand Signed by Billy MorrisonCategory
2010s Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic
- The RushLocated in Toronto, ON48” x 36” Oil, Acrylic and Spray on Canvas Signed by Billy MorrisonCategory
2010s Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic
You May Also Like
- Nakedness of TruthLocated in Ibadan, OyoNakedness of Truth is an original painting by Abifola Olorunlana. Olorunlana created Nakedness of Truth with Acrylic on a 36W by 48H inches primed canvas. Nakedness of Truth was made over a painting Abifola Olorunlana did and didn't like (an underlying painting depicting four figures fetching water from a river and gossiping about someone they didn't like). The Nakedness of Truth is a painting that advocates for people who belong to the LGBTQ community and salutes their unity in making the movement impactful globally. For years many have stayed reclusive about their true identity due to religious beliefs, societal constructs, and government laws which have left many depressed till their last days, many were even killed for courageously coming out to state their true identity. This is depicted in the painting: dark yellow eyes sticking out of the woods to portray a sense of public rejection, yet my subject boldly stands out of the green woods and leaves to express courage, strength, and power. Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gallery) About Artist Olorunlana Abifola (b. 1999) is an emerging visual artist from Nigeria whose works of art cut across mix-media and contemporary art paintings which includes portrait paintings of Black people...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic, Canvas
- Aláàárù Ajé" (Carrier of Wealth)Located in Ibadan, OyoThe artwork titled "Aláàárù Ajé" (Carrier of Wealth) features a lady with a head made of a Sekere, a traditional Yoruba percussion instrument made from dried gourds covered with beads. The lady is depicted wearing a blue dress with intricate details and patterns. Ayandare Adeniran, Ayanmuyiwa behind this intriguing piece of art has managed to capture the essence of the Yoruba culture, which is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and traditional beliefs. The use of the Sekere in the artwork is symbolic of the Yoruba people's deep-rooted love for music and the arts, which are considered an integral part of their daily lives. The lady in the artwork, with her head made of Sekere, is a representation of the Yoruba deity, Oshun, who is revered as the goddess of love, fertility, and prosperity. According to Yoruba mythology, Oshun is believed to be the owner of the Sekere and is often depicted carrying it around during festive celebrations and ceremonies. The blue dress worn by the lady in the artwork is also significant in Yoruba culture as it represents wealth, royalty, and nobility. The intricate details and patterns on the dress are a testament to the artist's attention to detail and skill, which are essential in Yoruba art. Overall, the artwork "Aláàárù Ajé" (Carrier of Wealth) is a beautiful representation of Yoruba culture, tradition, and mythology. The artist's use of the Sekere and the blue dress is a nod to the Yoruba people's love for music, art, and fashion, which are essential elements of their identity. The artwork is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and the importance of preserving it for future generations. Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gallery) About Artist Ayandare Adeniran, Ayanmuyiwa (born 1991) is an Artist who hails from Ogbomosho, Oyo state, Nigeria. At his early stage of life, his artistic talents sprang up and his parent helped in developing them by providing him with what they understood he needed by buying drawing books, crayons, and watercolors among others to help his creative skills. After his primary and secondary education, he received a Nigeria Certificate on Education (NCE) from a prestigious college; the Federal College of Education (SPECIAL), Oyo, where he studied Fine and Applied Arts. Musa Ibrahim was the first practicing Artist who helped Ayandare in his Artistic career which was during a compulsory Industrial Training program for students in the Fine Arts department. After College, yawning for knowledge and flare for artistic work dragged him to Arowolo Wasiu, a metal sculptor who trained him in sculpting metal. A thirst for one's zeal can only be quenched by following the path thus making him proceed to TOPE FATUNMBI...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Acrylic
- The King's RingLocated in Ibadan, OyoThe King's Ring is an intriguing artwork that portrays a man wearing a ring. The ring is the centerpiece of the artwork. The painting is oil and acrylic on ca...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic, Oil, Canvas
- IndependentLocated in Ibadan, OyoAt first glance, "Independent" captures the viewer's attention with its striking imagery of a woman wearing a vibrant yellow coat. The choice of yellow as the dominant color is symbo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic, Canvas
- Red CardLocated in Ibadan, Oyo"Yellow Card" is a thought-provoking artwork created by Ogunniyi Oluwatosin, a Nigerian artist who uses her art to explore social issues. The artwo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCharcoal, Canvas, Acrylic
- Contemplative MomentBy Bakare Abubakri-sideeq BabatundeLocated in Ibadan, OyoShipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bakare Babatunde...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Fabric, Oil, Acrylic