22
Billy Connolly
frank, I like the fact that people sneer at the felt tips. Although I did get some proper pens recently… I can’t remember what they’re called.” He’s been experimenting too, with his compositions, trying out background detail (“not convinced”) and flashes of pri- mary colour introduced in this collection through the jaunty red shoes of Glaswegian Icarus . Current projects involve using more colour. He describes ballet dancers with blue shoes; a man with coloured balloons—and more wings. “I’m drawing a lot of angels at the moment. I’ve no idea why. But I’ve promised my kids an angel each.” He laughs uproariously as he tells me that his son Jamie, a keen fisherman, was presented with a typically literal drawing of an angel fish, “You know, a fish. With wings!” When the laughter dies down, he ruminates for a moment, before apologising. “Sorry if this all sounds a bit basic or shallow.” In contrast to these occa- sional, apologetic interjections when he talks about his work, Connolly remains robust in his stance on critics. I remind him of his comment about Born On
6
A Rainy Day , that he saw his art as pure and un-judged. Does he still feel that way, a year on? His response is anything but vague, and typically Connollian: “I’m only interested in people who like it — who buy it, because they like it. I’ve no interest, other- wise, in what people think of it”, he declares without hesitation. “I couldn’t give a f*ck.” There’s a beat of a second or two, and then a final apology — this time for swearing. Gallery The new collection is exhibited in galleries in March or can be viewed online now castlegalleries.com spending some time with Michael J Fox, and we were in the elevator at Barney’s. A guy got in, with a sort of v-shaped body because, well, he was clearly no stranger to the gym. He was wearing these candy-striped shorts and a singlet and had a tiny Yorkshire terrier with a bow in its hair. We asked him, “What’s your dog’s name?” “Thor.” he replied. We slid down the walls laughing. Anyway, I ended up drawing this dog with vertical tiger stripes, and his owner.
5 Fly Away Peter
6 Wading Bird
Giclée edition of 95
Giclée edition of 95
Image 22" x 16" Framed £625
Image 22" x 16" Framed £625
We asked: What’s your favourite piece? From these new ones, Fly Away Peter , is a particular favourite. I drew this, because
I wanted to have a bash at drawing something real, the birds. When I was in New Zealand, one of my friends had this painting in his house that was of all these exotic birds. It was all details and intricate and I thought “I’ll have a go at a bird.” So I tried out quite a few, there’s a bit of a turkey there and an owl. And from my first collection, Walkies . Because it reminds me of a great day I had in New York. I’d been
5
FINE ART COLLECTOR SPRING 2013
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker