Billy Weston; Artist

Archived Pages 2012 - 2015

Billy Weston Q&A - The Inner Self: Drawings from the Subconscious Full Version, August 2014.

1) How does it feel to have been selected for the exhibition?

Really great, really wonderful. I'm really honoured to be able to show my style of artwork somewhere in a gallery where someone understands my art work and the way I work from my brain. It's a real complement to have been selected and for my art to be appreciated.

2) Can you explain your chosen work? How does it relate to the subconscious?

B-Nut – this was a totally spontaneous drawing that came out; I was helping out in the signs of life art class at Bromley-by-Bow centre in London when I drew it. I think it took me about an hour? It just came out automatically from my brain to my hand, there was no pre-conceived idea. I think my drawings are very cerebral - brain like - and often relate to my experience of having a brain haemorrhage. Also they are my observations of what is around me.

Wallpaper Number 5 - I was visiting the printmaker Brian Hodgson’s art studio in Vangaurd Court opposite Camberwell College of Art- he was doing some prints and I said can I draw and I just did a drawing on a piece of cartridge paper. I think it took me 2 hours - I didn't time it. I had an idea or concept in that moment that I imagined my art work could be turned into wall paper so called it wallpaper No.5. Again it’s a spontaneous drawing, releasing some energy at the time.

3) What do you enjoy most about drawing?

Being able to slip into my space and drift away from all the worries of the world and just sketch. I find it relaxing.

4) What is your artistic process like – right from initial thought to final output?

Melting into a pool of lines and bright colours. My brain just wonders off into dreams on paper, or the art medium I am using at the time, clay, canvas, whatever. When I put pen onto paper the line just travels on its own and creates an image without me thinking about it.

5) When did you first become interested in art?

I never really, as child I just escaped from the world into a world of art and creativity. I would just sit and draw for hours on end and at school my friends to ask me to draw pictures for them. I was always more interested in drawing than doing schoolwork - I loved the art class at school. After I had a brain haemorrhage at the age of 14, I re-learnt to draw with my left hand as my right side was paralysed. In my twenties I went to Camberwell where I had a studio space with other people and freedom to work on a bigger scale on canvas and I really enjoyed myself. It was enlightening to be able to expand my small works to a larger scale.

6) How has your work developed since you first started?

I take more time over it. Or maybe I'm slowing down. I was always drawing and sketching in the pub in the past and now in cafes and wherever I get to sit down at a table. I take every opportunity to draw.

7) What or who influences your work?

Just after I had my brain haemorrhage and was recovering, my mum took me to see the film Alien. I was inspired by HR Geiger's bio-mechanical design as was very sexual and appealed to me. Also I found general album covers of the 70’s were a big influence because they were quite sci-fi , and fantasy-like, abstract images that were other-worldly such as King Crimson - in the court of the crimson king. The artist Robert Crumb's comic style and humour - the way he distorts reality into comic characterisations. I like the Marvel comics as a kid and the stylised drawing technique and stories of superheroes and characters.

The negativity of the human race inspires me. Every time they do bad stuff it gives me inspiration. I feed on negativity.

I like Damien Hirst ‘cos he does a lot of stuff about death!

8) What have/has been the biggest highlight(s) of your artistic career?

Probably graduating with a Fine Art degree from Camberwell Art College.

9) What do you hope the audience will get from your work?

Inspiration and an insight into being automatically connected with the ethereal world. I don't know if I'm channelling from another dimension.

10) What’s next for you as an artist?

Carry on as I always do but I'd like to have more space to create bigger works as I am cramped in bungalow-hole. I'd like a studio.

You can meet Billy at the Artist Talk at the GCP Gallery Southwark Park on Saturday 6 September 16.30 - 17.30.

4 - 21 September 2014

Exhibition: The Inner Self: Drawings from the Subconscious at CGP (Cafe Gallery Projects) London

Billy is pleased to announce that his work was selected to be included in a group show based around the theme of the Subconscious. The show has been organised by the excellent Outside In and Pallent House Gallery.

Billy will be attending the Private View on Wednesday 3 September from 18:00 to 20:00 and will speak at the artist talk on Saturday 6 September 16.30 - 17.30.

More details about this exhibition can be found here

There will also be a chaired discussion 'Spontaneity, Introspection and the Medium of Drawing' on Saturday, 6 September 2014 from 14:00 to 16:00.

Tickets can be booked online here .

There will also be Family Draw-In: Doodling and scribbling for grown-ups and children on Saturday 20 September 2014, 11:00 - 16:00, FREE.

Details of the Cafe Gallery Project Gallery:

Venue:
CGP London
Southwark Park
London
SE16 2UA

Tel: +44 (0)20 7237 1230

Opening times:
Wed - Sun, 11am - 5pm

Transport information:
Southwark Park is approximately 9 minutes walk from Canada Water station on the Jubilee & London Overground lines. Buses 1, 47, 188, 199, 225, 381, 395, P12, C10.

July 2014

Billy will be exhibiting his smaller colourful paintings & cards 'al-fresco' at the amazing URBAN ART FAIR on Josephine Avenue, Brixton on Sunday 13th July 10am to 6pm.

Billy's Pitch - 7Hf and g - will be located on Leander Road, just off the main avenue.

Entry is FREE and there are over 200 artists exhibiting this year. Come along, grab a drink, eat some food, view some art work and say Hi!

May 2014

Billy will be selling Cards, Prints and Ceramic Pendants on Thursday 15th May & Friday 16th May on the Morley Makers (Morley College) with the BEAM Artist group (which Billy usually attends on Thursdays at Southwark Resource Centre) at Lower Marsh Market, Waterloo as part of 'Love your Market' Week. For more information visit: http://www.lowermarshmarket.co.uk/

Billy also works in the Ceramic Studio at Morley College - and is looking for a larger studio space to complete larger paintings so if you know of any email mailto:williamlazyweston@hotmail.com

BILLYWESTONART Experimental Art Channel on Youtube

Billy has launch an experimental new Art Video channel on Youtube to explore his more day-to-day antics and expressions in 'Billy's Bedroom Show'.

Watch & Subscribe!

View 'I Love You' below

29/06/2013

BILLY WESTON @ THE IMPACT ART FAIR 2013 !

Billy will have his own Stall and be showing a large range of his Paintings and Drawings, and will also be selling Signed Prints & Original Art work.

Must See event for contemporary Alternative & Outsider Artists.

Private view Thursday 25th July RSVP via Impact Art Fair

BILLYWESTONART ETSY Shop - Buy Billy Weston Art & Jewellery

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BillyWestonArt

More to follow...

28/06/2013

Billy Weston at 'Morley Makers' Stall in Lower Marsh, Waterloo, selling Ceramics, Postcards and Prints.

Next Dates: Friday 26th July & Friday 30th August, 11.30 am - 2.30 pm.

28/05/2013

Some New Web Pages of Billy's Latest Art Wares:

Billy Weston's Moonfruit

Outside In Artist Profile

Shape Arts Artist Profile

Enjoy!

10/04/2013

Billy Weston is Showing A Few New Pieces of his Bird Heads @

MADE 2013 - a Group Exhibition of Work from Ceramic & Painting students at Morley College Gallery 11th April - 25th April

See Website for directions:

http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/news_and_events/events/show/1352_all_exhibition_spaces_made_2013

15/03/2013

Billy Weston has been busy featuring in some exhibitions 2012 to 2013 !

2013 'The RagShow Edition' - Cooltan Arts, Morley Gallery

2012 'Boundless', the Disability Arts, Sports & Culture festival 'Summerfest', Archbishop's Park, Lambeth

7/10/11

Billy Westons' Drawing featured on the Guardian on-line celebrating world mental health day with CoolTanArts

September 2011

Outside In Gallery

20-22 /05/11 Billy Weston @

Billy will be showing new art work on the SLAM (South london and Maudsley) art stall at the Impact Art Fair 2011 for marginalised artists.

The venue is at the Candid Arts Trust, 3 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NQ (nearest tube Angel) on the 20th, 21st and 22nd May 2011 between 11am to 6pm.

Billy will be at the stalls on one of the days and will be available to talk art and make conversation also whilst undoubtedly drawing a non-euclidean picture with a cup of tea.

Fresh from the Kiln; Happy Easter 2011!

^'Limitless' 24 x 30 cm Acrylic 2011

Billy will be displaying work at an exhibition and be at the private view this friday the 28th January 2011.

Check this out:

http://www.facebook.com/CoolTanArtsProfile#!/event.php?eid=157602924290069

^ Billy Weston is featured in the new Exhibition No.2 book by the Museum of Everything and was seen at the Crunch Art Fair 19/21st November 2010

http://www.artfestivalathay.org/crunch-art-fair/

^ Sculpture dedicated to Sir Peter Mansfield creator of the MRI Scan made by CootanArts painted by Billy Weston for the World Mental Health DayLargactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk on the 9th of October 2010

Displayed outside Maudsley Neurology department temporarily.