Andrew Hardy at Trent Galleries tells me he is now showcasing Todd White's paintings. His stunning, new collection is in the gallery now. The collection was released to the galleries later last week and the publishers have already sold out!

Todd White is a critically acclaimed modern master, a portrait painter for the 21st century. His profile and popularity have increased to the point where his distinctive style and iconic status are recognized across the globe.

Born in 1969 in Texas, he came from humble roots. During his twenties he took an opportunity and relocated to Hollywood, where one of his key career spells came in the field of animation. Through character development at some of the most renowned production studios he began to forge his own artistic style, and became part of the lead design and animation team for the international hit cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants.

During this period White experimented with both style and concept, eventually arriving at a process that now guides him through every piece. Until White can conceptually see the story in his head, he won’t paint. He always names his pieces first, visualises faces and personalities and then develops each person’s story. The stark, unblemished delivery of his subjects is very much intended - what isn’t necessary to the story doesn’t go onto the canvas.

Hands are a focal point for White, reflecting the subject’s state of mind almost as much as facial expressions. ‘‘Everyone’s hands are full of personality’’ he suggests noting for example, how powerfully and expressively the small hand details and gesticulations will amplify an actor’s performance.

He is a full-time observer, noticing what others don’t, always 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 paintings are captivating, demanding repeated viewings, and often evoking laughter or thoughts of 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 perspective is so unusual he alters the way we see the people we encounter and the roles we play around each other. He studies body language, utilising the nuances of his source material to capture the subtleties of what one shows and what one hides.

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 movie classic The Wizard of Oz.

This sounds like an exhibition well worth seeing.