Charlie E. White III can best be described in one word: unconventional. Born in Southern California, Charlie attended The Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and went full throttle into a career as an Award Winning Illustrator that has spanned the course of more than three decades. He has worked with so many prominent clients, it's impossible to ignore the work he's been instrumental in creating. With unique art that provoked curiosity like the billboards across Los Angeles in 1966 that read "Charles E. White III Rules the World" and his outrageous silver bathroom, Charlie became known for doing wild and interesting pieces. By 1967, Charlie moved with his family to New York City where he began experimenting with a range of artistic mediums that led to an airbrushing technique that soon changed the face of his art. Charlie sees everything in a way that lends to an artistic landscape like no one else. With an expanded creative platform, his creation of a chrome wing piece designed for the film, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones" coupled with his ability to take common discarded images and transform them into art set him apart. Becoming synonymous for illustration and art that would push the boundaries of creativity and imagination, he distinguished himself early on in his career.
Charlie's work encourages thought and a bit of humor like the project, "Sistine Chapel Floor" done in conjunction with National Lampoon's Magazine (a pseudo giveaway to see the real Sistine Chapel. The joke: they would see the floor, not the ceiling). Charlie is known for conceptual art, including illustrating album covers for known musicians.
Returning to Los Angeles in 1976, Charlie launched a clothing line, became interested in the entertainment industry, took on an array of new art, and continually reinvented himself. Charlie worked alongside Jerde Partnership on major destination landmarks like Universal City Walk Los Angeles, Treasure Island, and Bellagio. Charlie's company Olio was involved with other projects such as Atlantis "The Dig", the Immersive Aquariums in the Bahamas and Dubai, as well as uShaka Marine World South Africa. It's an understatement to say Charlie has left a lasting impression in the art and design worlds. Fast forwarding to present day, Roman Coppola's latest film, "A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III" starring Charlie Sheen was based on the life and times of Charles E. White III, with sets primarily devised after Charlie's art during the 1970s. Based in Venice, California, Charlie can be found steadily creating every day.
Charlie's prints are a part of the permanent collection at MoMa NYC, Smithsonian, and The Legion of Honor: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. He has won a Grammy for his illustration on "Tommy" - The Who, Hollywood Reporter awarded him for the "Nashville" film poster, 3 THEA Awards for Atlantis, UShaka, and Cosi. His work has appeared in recognized publications like Esquire, Playboy, New York Magazine, and other prominent publications, ad campaigns, in addition to crafting iconic imagery that is consistently breathing new life into the art and fashion worlds.
© 2025. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Charlie E. White II or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only
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| Charlie E. White III |
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| 1958, Movie poster |
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| 1959 |
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| AHH, 1969 |
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| So good, 1969 |
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| The kiss, 1979 |
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| 1970s |
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| 1972, Album cover |
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| Memories, 1972 |
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| Oops, 1973 Magazine cover |
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| Good guys / Bad guys, 1974 |
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| 1975 |
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| Levi's Splash, 1975 poster |
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| Spilled Food. Sound of Silence, 1978 |
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| Star Wars, 1978 poster detail |
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| Star Wars, 1978 poster detail |
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| Star Wars, 1978 poster detail |
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| Star Wars, 1978 poster detail |
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| Star Wars Style D “Circus”, 1978 poster |
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| Dr. Feel good, 1979 |
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| It's the stigg, 1979 |
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| It’s a great ride, 1979 |
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| 1981, Movie poster |
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| Mostly trash, 1982 |
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| 1990, poster |
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| Brush Your Knees Twice a Day With Levi's Pants |
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| Bubble dollar |
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| Exotic Printing Machine |
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| Overspray self-promo |
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| Untitled, 1970s |
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| Untitled, 1970s |
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| Zippy Rules |
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