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Image courtesy of Castle Fine ArtLegendary Scottish comedian Sir Billy Connolly has released a video talking about his new artwork, including one inspired by his days touring with Elton John in the 1970s.
The 82-year-old funnyman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013 and announced his retirement from comedy five years later, telling the his “art is his life now”.
Sir Billy has now released four limited edition works under his Born On A Rainy Day series, recalling some of the fondest memories from his life.
They include Sausage Tree, which reflects on a trip with his daughter Amy, Sunburned, which depicts a Scottish man who has spent too long in the sun, and Fly Away Peter, which shows a multicoloured figure surrounded by birds.
Image courtesy of Castle Fine ArtOne of the artworks is Saturday Night which shows a rock ‘n’ roll piano player in action.
Sir Billy says the character in the drawing “does that leg thing which is pure Elton”.
The comedian, who is also a talented musician, toured America with Sir Elton in 1976 and says he could not believe what a performer he was.
“When I saw Jerry lee Lewis I thought it was the best thing I’d ever seen apart from Little Richard – and then I saw Elton,” he says.
The drawing shows the flamboyant piano player with his leg on the keyboard and a stool overturned behind him.
“It was that point of the show where he backheeled the stool and it tumbled off the stage,” Sir Billy says.
“The roadies all dived so that it didn’t break.”
He adds: “I saw Elton lately and he was better than I’d ever seen him.
“He’s an amazing performer.”
Image courtesy of Castle Fine ArtAnother of the new works, Fly Away Peter, depicts a “happy guy with birds landing on him”.
Sir Billy says he’s particularly pleased with the way he has drawn the stripes on the figure’s purple jacket and with the bird that peers over his shoulder.
“I like things that make me smile,” he says.
Sir Billy describes the drawing as “beautiful”.
“It’s taken me years to say that,” he says.
“I would never dream of saying it before for the chance that somebody would say ‘it’s crap, you’re no good’.
“But I’m quite good. I can make people smile and feel happy. It’s great.”
Image courtesy of Castle Fine ArtThe Scottish comedian says the Sausage Tree brings back memories of driving around the Scottish countryside when his daughter Amy was a child.
“We just went on the roads and saw things,” he says.
“Once we were near a place called Aberfoyle and we came upon a sausage tree.”
It was actually a bush with seed pods hanging from it but his child’s delight at seeing a “sausage tree” has stayed with him since.
Image courtesy of Castle Fine ArtIn his drawing Sunburned, Sir Billy shows a Tartan-clad man whose skin tone is lobster red.
“When I did it I stood back and I thought ‘my god, you’ve got it’,” he says.
“It’s the colour you go in Scotland when the sun shines on you. It’s weird.
“It’s not a sunbathing country Scotland.
“I once said the climate in Scotland is June and winter.”
Despite the lack of sunshine, Sir Billy says the Scottish climate is “wonderful to experience”.
“Scotland is the most extraordinary country,” he says.
“It’s magical.”
