The Accidental Artist

‘My drawings started by accident. I was on tour in Montreal a few years ago and found myself sheltering from the pishing rain in an art store. I went in to get dry and came out with an armful of felt-tip pens and a sketchbook, then went straight back to my hotel room and started to draw. I’ve never looked back.’

Welcome to the visual world of Billy Connolly – comedian, actor, storyteller and artist. In elegant, simple lines Billy conjures up a land of fantastic beasts, mysterious inventions, and blissful calm. Some drawings are charmingly simple, others feel complex, strange or rebellious. Through them, Billy offers fascinating glimpses of his childhood and his Scottish homeland, takes us on journeys to far-flung places, and shares his life-long obsession with music, wildlife and fashion.

‘People think I paint or draw things on purpose. I don’t, I just draw. It is a portal for my imagination. And, just like my stand-up, I never know where it will lead.’

The Accidental Artist brings together the best of Billy’s drawings with a selection of his most beloved stories. It is a joyful collision of colour, creativity and storytelling, and an exhilarating new portrait of Billy’s extra­ordinary life.

Author Biography

Sir William Connolly, CBE is a much-loved Scottish comedian, musician, artist, presenter and actor. He is the recipient of a BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award and is regularly voted the nation’s favourite stand-up comedian. His has written three books, Tall Tales & Wee Stories, Windswept & Interesting and Rambling Man, all of which were No.1 bestsellers. In 2012, he launched his debut fine art collection Born On A Rainy Day with Castle Fine Art. A deluxe edition of select artworks was published in 2023 under the same name. Billy was born and raised in Glasgow and now lives in America.