Billy Connolly

After working as a welder in Glaswegian shipyards in the 1960s, Billy became a folk singer and comedian. He has also appeared in over 50 films, including The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (2014), Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004), The Last Samurai (2003), Mrs. Brown (1997) and Indecent Proposal (1993). 

It was on a rainy day in 2007 that Billy first put pen to paper. Taking refuge from the grey drizzle of Montreal, Canada, he entered an art shop with a twinkling curiosity and left with an armful of supplies and the urge to create. Back in his hotel room, his felt-tips and sketchbook formed a portal for his imagination, and over the next five years his drawings evolved into his debut fine art collection, Born On A Rainy Day, which launched in 2012. 

Explaining his flexible approach, Billy says: “It’s lovely, the way people think you do it. People think I paint or draw things on purpose. I don’t, I just draw. And then as it goes on, it becomes obvious what it’s going to be (to me). And then I can think about it along those lines: a horse, a man or a balloon. That’s when I name it – at the end."  

Billy's art has been likened to the cave paintings of the Aurignacian period (40,000-25,000 BC), which are characterised by their linear, one-dimensional approach. Charmingly simplistic, his faceless figures possess an extraordinary self-awareness and humanity. Devoid of emotion or expression, their anonymity opens them up to individual interpretation, creating a unique bond with the viewer. In 2020, he released his first sculpture, followed by two more in 2021. 

An admirer of artists like René Magritte and David Hockney, Billy has made an impact on the art world beyond his own creations. In 2017, the newly knighted Sir Billy Connolly was immortalised in three 50ft murals in his hometown of Glasgow to celebrate his 75th birthday, with his infamous ‘banana boots’ later displayed at the People’s Palace. 

In December 2020, following his retirement from stand-up comedy, he starred in the ITV documentary Billy Connolly: It's Been a Pleasure, in which he detailed what his art means to him. After winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Edinburgh TV Festival, in September 2021, Billy was immortalised in LEGO® bricks for a series of limited edition minifigures. The five ‘Wee Big Yins’ – comprising the Musician Yin, the Funny Yin, the Biker Yin, the Actor Yin and the Artist Yin – represent Billy’s different career stages, with all proceeds going towards Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. Billy described it as a highlight of his career, adding: “To be a Lego man is amazing.”

In October 2021, he released his first autobiography, Windswept & Interesting. The Waterstones Exclusive Edition features his new 'Teddy Boy' inspired graphic, which depicts a stylish musician with maracas. His Christmas collection was released in November 2021. In March 2022, he released the eighth instalment of Born On A Rainy Day. 

Shop available artworks from Billy Connolly here.