In this collection international abstract artist Alex Echo embodies the themes and power of shape-shifting, demonstrating his continuously evolving techniques.
BORN ON A RAINY DAY
BILLY CONNOLLY
Few comedians have touched people’s hear ts like Billy Connolly. The multitalented actor, presenter, musician and fine ar tist has brought laughter into homes since the 1970s, and his unique sense of humour and take on everyday life is encapsulated in the latest release from his ever-popular Born On A Rainy Day series. Capturing glimpses of Billy’s childhood, dashes of Glaswegian slang and a witty line-up of personal anecdotes, this colour ful body of work is Billy’s boldest release to date. Hand-signed by Billy himself, each of the framed limited edition prints is presented as a fine ar t giclée on an opulent watercolour paper, highlighting his distinctive bold lines and an uncharacteristically vibrant colour palette. “There’s more colour in the collection than before,” reveals Billy, who now lives in Key West, Florida. “I was looking at the drawings and sometimes they were crying out for colour and I didn’t know why. It was a kind of question. So I put it off for ages and then star ted to dribble a little colour in. It ended up different from the way it star ted out – it had a totally different attitude to it.” Amongst the humorous sketches – which depict everything from his intense dislike of exercise to a zebra crossing the road – there are touches of hear tfelt insight and melancholy.
The former welder, who in December 2020 discussed his retirement from stand-up comedy in the ITV documentary Billy Connolly: It’s Been a Pleasure , has exper tly walked the tightrope between themes of loneliness and the simple joys of life, including flying a kite. The collection title illustrates Billy’s gift for drawing light from the clouds. It was on a rainy day in Montreal, Canada, that Billy was first inspired to put pen to paper, after taking refuge from the drizzle in an ar t shop. What began as a twinkling curiosity has led to an incredibly successful ar t career, with Billy revealing that the medium has given him a “new lease of life” since his first launch in 2012. This release, the seventh from the sell-out series, marks a new chapter in his uniquely idiosyncratic story. Despite countless accolades, which include a BAFTA award and a knighthood in 2017, Billy still has his own inspirations – including his “hero” Bob Dylan, who influenced his new ‘Tambourine Man’ ar twork. His down-to-ear th approach to life is also evident in his ar tistic technique, with him explaining: “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). That’s when I name it – at the end. So I don’t know quite what it’s about, but I’m enjoying doing it.”
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Wearing The Ring
Double Hit Flatbed Giclée Print on 100% Cotton Aquarelle Arches - Torchon 300gsm Paper size 57 x 77cm | Framed size 65 x 85cm Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250
Go Fly A Kite
Double Hit Flatbed Giclée Print on 100% Cotton Aquarelle Arches - Torchon 300gsm Paper size 77 x 57cm | Framed size 85 x 65cm Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250
Brahmarama Llama
Double Hit Flatbed Giclée Print on 100% Cotton Aquarelle Arches - Torchon 300gsm Paper size 77 x 57cm | Framed size 85 x 65cm Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250
“It’s always great to meet the people who buy your stuff. They’re rather nice, my people.” – BI LLY CONNOLLY
Tambourine Man
Double Hit Flatbed Giclée Print on 100% Cotton Aquarelle Arches - Torchon 300gsm Paper size 77 x 57cm | Framed size 85 x 65cm Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250
It's Raining On The Moon
Double Hit Flatbed Giclée Print on 100% Cotton Aquarelle Arches - Torchon 300gsm Paper size 77 x 57cm | Framed size 85 x 65cm Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250
Zebra Crossing
Double Hit Flatbed Giclée Print on 100% Cotton Aquarelle Arches - Torchon 300gsm Paper size 77 x 57cm | Framed size 85 x 65cm Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250
And On Monday, God Made The World Polished Stainless Steel with Black Granite Base | Edition of 195 Height 17½” x Length 23” x Depth 7” £6,950
Born On A Rainy Day Portfolio Set of 6 limited edition prints Pictured above unframed in presentation portfolio Unframed £4,950 | Framed £6,750
Biography
Sir Billy Connolly [B.1942, Glasgow]
William “Billy” Connolly, CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin (The Big One). His first trade, in the early 1960s, was as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards, but he gave it up towards the end of the decade to pursue a career as a folk singer in the Humblebums and subsequently as a soloist. In 2012, Billy Connolly’s ar tistic expression took a new path, in the form of fine ar t.
2001 Awarded an honorary doctorate from University of Glasgow 2002 Presented with a Special Award by British Academy of Film and Television Ar ts (BAFTA) 2003 Made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Bir thday Honours list 2006 Awarded an honorary doctorate from Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama 2010 Awarded an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University
2010 Made a Freeman of Glasgow with the award of the Freedom of the City of Glasgow 2012 Presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award by BAFTA Scotland 2016 Presented with National Television Awards (NTA) Special Recognition Award 2017 Received a knighthood in the Queen’s Bir thday Honours list
The images contained within this literature are an ar tistic representation of the collection. To best experience our ar t, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2021. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no par t can be reproduced without prior permission.
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