Collection: David Willardson Artist Biography and Art Gallery Collection

The artwork of David Willardson, with it's careful details, a loyalty to original Disney creations, and a unique, personal flair, is perfect for the casual fan or the avid collector. This print depicts the Disney character Snow White. A San Diego native and self proclaimed California Boy David Willardson is a consummate Disney artist. From the time he visited Disneyland as a child when it first opened in 1954, and worked there as a 'cast member' through high school, working the Skyway gondolas (ushering Walt Disney himself!) and the Matterhorn. Lurking behind his beloved Disney characters, David Willardson discovered a team of animation geniuses that left an indelible mark on American culture.

David Willardson sought about learning their craft in order to figure out what made his heroes tick. After graduating from Los Angeles Art Center, he burst onto the entertainment art scene. His passion for the craft and his natural creativity opened doors, which allowed him to produce internationally known images such as the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” movie logo and the classic “American Graffiti” car hop After launching a successful career in design and illustration, David Willardson once again returned to the fold at Jeffrey Katzenberg's request, spending nearly two decades as the creator of Disney's 'new look' for all its classic reissues and new features. Caught up in the make-believe world of animation, the creativity and whimsy of the characters and the early execution of the cartoon art all were factors in directing the professional path chosen by David Willardson. After graduating from Los Angeles Art Center, David entered the world of entertainment art. His passion for excellence and his natural creativity opened doors, which allowed him to create internationally known images such as the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" movie logo and the classic "American Graffiti" car hop.

David Willardson's journey continued in the fields of animation as he could create images that portrayed the essence of a story. Disney needed an artist that understood and was passionate about Disney characters. They needed an artist that could uphold the integrity of Disney's original drawings. They needed someone who could capture the personalities and emotions of the Disney family of characters. They needed David Willardson and he was commissioned to paint the major movie posters for Disney Animation over a period of fifteen years. A small sample would include Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Lion King.While painting the characters in the traditional way, Willardson also developed an energetic, stylized, dynamic, graphic painting style that is filled with color; he captures the spirit and moods of these characters, and fills the canvas with so much life that they truly come alive.

David Willardson today has headed off in a new direction with the opening of his own studio, where he continues to create some of the most innovative and electrifying Disney images available today.