A Visual Storyteller from the Start
Tod Polson has been drawing since childhood, but it wasn’t the act of creating art that lit the fire in him—it was the story behind it. “I don't create just for creation's sake,” he told me. “Everything I’m working on is tied to a story.”
His path from sketching in school to directing animated films is paved with mentors who recognized his calling. From Mr. Sellers and Dennis Freeman in his school years to animation legends like Maurice Noble and Jules Engle, Tod’s journey has been a tapestry of artistic excellence and spiritual significance.
The Emotional Power of Color
Tod’s reverence for storytelling uses the language of visuals, and color is a huge part. “Visually, the most important connection emotionally is color. It speaks to us on a very primal level.” He learned this from Noble, who taught him to master value first, then let color harmonies follow. That training served him well in projects like The Prodigal and The 21.
From Calling to Craft to Calling Again
What makes Tod’s work so resonant is how deeply his faith intersects with his art. As a youth, he felt called to missions—but found no outlet for art within traditional ministry structures. Decades later, he returned to that calling through the very craft he'd spent years refining. “God is the ultimate creator,” Tod said. “We’re using these tools to describe our world—and I invite Him to be an active participant in the work.”
The 21: A Story of Martyrdom and Forgiveness
Tod’s film The 21 tells the true story of 21 Coptic Christians martyred by ISIS. It’s as much a visual poem as it is a documentary. Tod and his team compiled the stories from eye-witness interview on both sides of the incident, and was stunned by the miraculous nature of what he found. “The families said, ‘We don’t hate the men who did this. We want them to come to know Christ.’” Tod approached the project with reverence, humility, and a willingness to let the story—and God—speak for themselves. He learned the color and nature of Coptic Christian faith symbolism, and the short film is full of these sacred images.
The Artist as Mentor and Pilgrim
“Mentorship is one of the greatest gifts I’ve received,” Tod told me, “and I believe it would be a sin not to pass it on.” Whether teaching at the University of Texas or working with former Muslims in Dallas, Tod sees his work as a sacred offering—one that invites transformation by investing deeply in others.
Submit your poetry, visual art, music, or any other creative work to Johnny at johnny@superpowerquest.com. All kinds of art are welcome!
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