Sir Billy Connolly has released a new range of artistic prints highlighting his unique observations of the world, from trips to the gym to mischievous trees and snow globes.
Connolly, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, retired from comedy in 2020, and has since concentrated on creating art at his home in Florida.
He has described his hobby as a “delight” which has given him “a new lease of life”.
The new series, Born on a Rainy Day – The Collectors Series, features six of Connolly’s distinctive artworks presented for the first time as hand-signed limited editions from Castle Fine Art in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The comedian, musician, actor and artist told how drawing one of a person sitting pondering was titled “Just a Thought” after the dreaded phrase heard from managers during his career in stand-up and music.
He said: “There’s been managers and people in charge of my work on the live stage – the promotion side of things – who seem to think they know what you’re going to do.
“They always use little phrases like that – ‘Oh Billy, just a thought’. You think you’re finished and you want to go. You’ve got your gear packed and you hear ‘just a thought’. ‘Oh f***’.
“It’s just a thought – don’t panic’.”
Another picture in the series features “The Waving Tree”.
Connolly said: “My children have always loved trees. They were always pointing out trees from the car, nearly crashing us into the hedge.
“I’ve got various trees that I’ve drawn, and this is the latest. It just pleases me – it looks as if it’s waving to passers-by.”
He added: “I love doing trees. Trees that don’t exist but do when you’re not looking. They’re great. I love the way it’s waving, ‘tee-hee’.
“It’s just a dead tree but dead trees have as much life as live trees – they wave in the wind and they stay there until you chop them down. They’re wonderful. People should pay more attention to trees.”
Connolly said “Waiting To Be Discovered” was inspired by archaeological excavation programmes he loves watching on TV, while “A Chat At The Gym” depicts two women combining their exercise routine with a chance to laugh.
“A Peep at the Past” shows a baby playing on the floor with a snow globe like those Connolly has collected for much of his life, while “Angel And Pillar Of Salt” is his playful interpretation of the Biblical tale of Lot’s wife, turned to salt as a punishment for disobeying an angel.
He adds: “It always seemed a hell of a punishment to me.”
Connolly discovered an unexpected urge to create art in 2007 after taking shelter from the rain in an art shop in Canada.
Beginning with experiments in felt tip pens and a sketchbook, he eventually developed his signature style, featuring a distinctive “ball of string” effect.
Castle Fine Art said: “Billy’s choice of subjects is endlessly delightful and full of surprises. Step into his imagination, where snow globes mesmerize, the gym inspires laughter and mischievous trees wave ‘hello’.
“Often autobiographical and always heartfelt, these works offer rare glimpses into Billy’s inner world – his humour, nostalgia, curiosity and sheer joy of life and its curiosities.”
The prints, which are now on show at Castle Fine Art’s galleries in Edinburgh and Glasgow, are each released in a “boutique edition” run of only 50, priced at £1,450 each.
PICTURES FROM SIR BILLY CONNOLLY’S BORN ON A RAINY DAY COLLECTOR SERIES.
PICTURES FROM SIR BILLY CONNOLLY’S BORN ON A RAINY DAY COLLECTOR SERIES.