A cartoonist on the hit children’s TV show SpongeBob SquarePants stopped off in the Black Country on a UK tour showing off some of his more sophisticated work.

Hollywood artist Todd White is best known for his work as lead designer on SpongeBob SquarePants, about a pant-wearing sponge who lives underwater.

However he was at the upmarket Regent Galleries, Hagley Road, Stourbridge, last night for an exhibition of his paintings.

The show is called ‘Style and Swagger.’

His paintings, many of which focus on the LA party scene, have become ‘must-haves’ for movie stars including Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas.

White has become a household name in his own right in the States and is now aiming to boost his profile in Europe.

 As part of his mini tour of the UK the artist was at the Stourbridge gallery along with two of his original paintings.

A string of limited edition prints of White’s work are on sale at the gallery for the next couple of weeks with prices ranging from £350 upwards.

The artist, who was staying at The Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill, said: “I have been tied up with projects for the last two-years, so it has been really difficult to go anywhere, but I really wanted to get out and meet the people in Europe who have been embracing my artwork.

“I am hoping to maybe get some inspiration from the trip as well for future artwork.”

Martin Gower, owner of Regent Galleries, said: “White has made a huge initial impact on the UK art market. 

“He is already one of the top three best-selling artists in Britain and he is well on his way to becoming the most famous American artist probably since Warhol.”