Pop artist Trevor Carlton has always had in interest in painting, though he almost did not pursue it as a career. Growing up in Olympia, Washington, Carlton was always drawn to the creative arts, though his love of acting almost eclipsed his love of the fine arts. Carlton turned down an art scholarship for the chance to study acting at Skagit Valley College and the Lee Strasberg Acting Workshop. When Carlton moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, he also took a job in a custom furniture store, where he specialized in antiquing and faux finish designs. The lumber that he worked with soon turned into his artistic canvas, and he began to paint images of vintage Americana, including pop and jazz icons.

Carlton exhibited his work in many galleries around Los Angeles and accepted private commissions for his work. Soon, his subject switched to the epitome of Americana, Mickey Mouse, and his notoriety skyrocketed. Carlton is also a performance artist, and in his performance piece, he painted large canvases of Disney characters in a matter of minutes.