Arstanda "Billy" White is a
natural storyteller. He weaves stories through scenes
he creates around his “portraits.” He says
that stories form in his head while he is drawing. He
often has several pictures in progress, and he spins a
separate tale for each one.
White draws everywhere
he goes. He carries pencils, paper, and markers in his
backpack always on the ready. When he rides Bay Area
Rapid Transit (BART) to and from NIAD, he draws people
on the train. He attracted several collectors to NIAD
in the process. White’s subjects range from such
casual encounters to people he knows; to TV, movie and
radio celebrities; and characters such as “Count
Dracula, the Wrestler.” Although his portraits
are not likenesses nor are his scenes realistic, they
arouse curiosity as to what is going on with them. He
draws with a simple, often continuous contour line in
an expressive “pop” style.
The wonder is in White’s drive to draw and paint
with his left hand, as he is naturally right-handed.
He lost the use of his right arm at age seven and learned
to use his left hand, even managing to play the harmonica.
In 1994 at age 32, he came to NIAD with a wad of drawings
stuffed into his sock.
The Achenbach Foundation Collection at the Legion of
Honor in San Francisco has acquired one of his prints.
His work has been exhibited widely in the 1999 show,
“Eros and Error,” at the American Visionary
Museum in Baltimore.
Van Gogh (1)
Acrylic on paper
26
" x 20"
$200
Untitled
Acrylic on Matte Board
23 1/2 " x 20 "
$200
