PROFILE
About Billy Clifton- Strawn
Meet Billy Clifton-Strawn, an indomitable "gray gay" man who defies society's tendency to render LGBTQIA+ elders invisible. Billy produces visual art that draws attention from all generations.
Despite grappling with traditional art forms due to an unsteady hand, Billy's life took a transformative turn at 64. Gifted a iPad Pro and Apple Pencil by his husband
David Clifton-Strawn, Billy discovered a world of creative possibilities.
With innate mastery, he found his artistic voice on the digital canvas, employing an iPhone camera, Apple Pencil, and photo editing software. Self-taught, Billy crafts exclusively in mixed digital media, labeling his creations as "Created in Pixels".
His process blends digital compositing, extensive digital painting, and fusion of original photos, yielding a staggering collection of 570 unique works over 4 years. These exist digitally and as tangible pigmented prints, bridging the virtual and physical realms.
Billy's eclectic influences range from art books to encounters with masterworks from the likes of Miro, Kandinsky, Clee, Escher, Dali, and Picasso, etc. at museums worldwide.
His art's success lies in its emotional resonance. In a world where "gray gay" men often vanish, his creations testify to his vibrant spirit. Billy's work challenges limitations and encourages other to embrace resilience and artistic expression's power. Two solo exhibitions, two juried museum group exhibitions, multiple juried group gallery exhibitions and inclusion in esteemed private collections mark his burgeoning talent.
CV
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS:
"Guggenheim Mist"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"The Arrival"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inch wide x 20 inch high (edition 1 of 10)
"Orange Suns"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Black and Blue"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Hydrangeas on Verdigris"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Sprier"
Archival Pigment Print, 11 inch wide x 8 inch high (edition 1 of
"Calla 1 Yellow" (edition 1 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Calla 2 Purple" (edition 1 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Calla 3 Peach" (edition 1, 2, 3 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Calla 4 White" (edition 1 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Calla 5 Lavender" (edition 1 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Calla 6 Pretty in Pink" (edition 1 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Green Glasses 2"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Complementary"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Butterflies from Lily Pads"
Archival Pigment Print, 36 inches wide x 72 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Archer"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
EXHIBITIONS:
2022 CHOICE Group Exhibition
Atlanta Photography Group
Curated by Paula Tognarelli, Executive Director and Curator
Griffin Museum of Photography, Winchester MA
"Orchids on Fire"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2022 POSTCARDS FROM HERE Group Exhibition
Atlanta Photography Group
Curated by Maria Kelly Assistant Curator of Photography
High Museums of Art, Atlanta, GA
"Eiffel Tower High"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2022 PIN UP SHOW Group Exhibition and Fundraiser
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, Atlanta GA
"Green Glasses 2"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2022 FLORAL MAJORITY AND SPRIER Solo Exhibition
Self Curated
Glenn Gallery, St Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta GA
"Batflower on a oil slick"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Passion Flower on a oil slick"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Orchids on a oil slick"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Vanda Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 30 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Peach Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 30 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Vanilla Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 30 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Coelogyne Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 30 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Hydrangea on Virtigris"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
"Calla 1 Yellow" (edition 1 of 10) private collection
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Calla 2 Purple" (edition 1 of 10) private collection
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Calla 3 Peach" (edition 1, 2, 3 of 10) private collection
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Calla 4 White" (edition 1 of 10) private collection
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Calla 5 Lavender" (edition 1 of 10) private collection
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Calla 6 Pretty in Pink " (edition 1 of 10) private collection
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Red Anthurium Reflections"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 24 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Green Anthurium Reflections"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 24 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"White Anthurium Reflections"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 24 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Orchids on Fire"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Naked Lady Amaryllis"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Sprier"
Archival Pigment Print, 46 inches wide x 62 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Sprier 2"
Archival Pigment Print, 22 inches wide x 17 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Sprier in the spring"
Archival Pigment Print, 22 inches wide x 17 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"People are People"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Wavy"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
2022 ABSTRACT TO DISTRACT Solo Exhibition
Self Curated
Art Institute of Atlanta
"C'ignaling"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"C'ing Static"
Ink Jet Print,30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"C'ing Red"
Ink Jet Print,30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"C'ing Influence"
Ink JetPrint, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"C'ymbiosis"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Hearts Abound"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Flying"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 30 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Access"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Granduer"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Access Denied"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Infinity Flight"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Worlds Apart"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Complementary"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Red-Green"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"From Chrysalis"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Wildflowers"
Ink Jet Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Impressions of Vanda"
Ink Jet Print on Trap, 96 inches wide x 108 inches high (editions 1 of 1)
"Orange Suns"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"The Arrival"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Green Glasses"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 2 of 10)
"Green Glasses Pink Orchids"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Taking Flight"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Black and Blue"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Depths"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
"Spot"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (editions 1 of 10)
2022 THE CURATED FRIDGE Group Exhibition
Online Photography Gallery www.thecuratedfridge.com
Juried by Donna Garcia Director of Education and Programs, Griffin Museum of Photography
"Orchids in Flight"
Archival Pigment Print, 4 inches wide x 6 inches high (edition 1 of 1)
2022 SMALL WORKS Group Exhibition
JennIfer Balco's Gallery, Atlanta GA
"Spiral"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2023 TERMINAL D' ART: FILM AND DIGITAL ART SHOW
Group Exhibition
Roll Call Theater @ Ponce City Market, Atlanta GA
Juried by Raphael Bahindwan Artist
"Brace"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Encumbered"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Freely"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Jazzy"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"River Bank"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Veneer"
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 20 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Impressions of Vanda"
Ink Jet Print on Vinyl Tarp, 8 feet wide x 8 feet high (edition 1 of 10)
2023 PIN UP SHOW Group Exhibition and Fundraiser
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
"Sunset of the Soul: The Negative Man"
Archival Pigment Print, 20 inches wide x 16 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2023 CONCEPTS - ENVISIONING A DIFFERENT WORLD Group Exhibition
Atlanta Photography Group
Juried by Veronica Hogan Executive Director
The Atlanta Contemporary, Atlanta, GA
"Divergence"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2024 ATLANTA CELEBRATES 3rd ANNUAL MAYOR'S PRIDE EXHIBIT: A SHOWCASE OF LGBTQ+ ARTISTRY AND UNITY
Group exhibition
Juried by the Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs selections committee
Atlanta Mayor's Office Gallery
Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
"Divine Luminescence"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2024 CHOICE Group Exhibition
Atlanta Photography Group
Juried by Mark Mason Karelson
Owner Mason Fine Art and PATH Gallery
Atlanta, GA
"Untitled 114"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 0f 10)
2024 Georgia Photography Juried Exhibition Group Exhibition
Juried by the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art's selections committee
Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
"The Glass Blowers"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2024 ATL IMPORTED - A SHOWCASE OF ATLANTA ART
Group Exhibition
Juried by Rial Rye Atlanta Sculpture
Creative Arts Guild Dalton GA
"Stepping Through The Noise"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 32 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Navigating Through the Chaos"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 32 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Risen from the Guggenheim"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 32 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Flore"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 32 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Notional Produce"
Archival Pigment Print, 24 inches wide x 32 inches high (edition 1 of 1
2024 EMERGING ARTIST AWARDS AND EXHIBITION
Group Exhibition
Chastain Arts Center Gallery, Atlanta GA
Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
"Mortality" Installation Work
Pigment Print on Polyester Fabric, conduit and three float framed
Archival Pigment Prints, 12 feet wide x 9.5 feet high
"Upward Facing"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Divine Luminescence"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Ascension to Illumination"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Orchids on Fire"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Naked Lady Amaryllis"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"White Anthurium Reflections"
Archival Pigment Print, 20 inches wide x 26 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Green Anthurium Reflections"
Archival Pigment Print, 20 inches wide x 26 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Vanilla Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 20 inches wide x 26 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Peach Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 20 inches wide x 26 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Coelogyne Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 20 inches wide x 26 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Vanda Orchid"
Archival Pigment Print, 20 inches wide x 26 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Passion Flower on a Oil Slick"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 30 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Orchid on a Oil Slick"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 5)
"Calla 5 Lavender" (edition 1 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Calla 6 Pretty in Pink" (edition 1 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
"Calla 1 Yellow" (edition 2 of 10)
Archival Pigment Print, 16 inches wide x 16 inches high
2024 CONCEPTS Group Exhibition
Atlanta Photography Group
Juried by Brian Paul Clamp
Clamp Gallery, New York NY
"Bat Flower on a Oil Slick"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2024 COLORS OF LOVE: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION THROUGH ART Group Exhibition
Coca Cola Company Headquarters, Atlanta GA
Juried by Elizabeth Wilson Fine Art Specialist Coca Cola, Atlanta GA
"People Are People"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
"Broken Promises"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2024 4TH ANNUAL MAYOR'S PRIDE EXHIBIT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 5th ANNUAL GOLBAL BLACK PRIDE
Atlanta Mayor's Office Gallery
Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
"Flore"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2024 SELECTS Group Exhibition
Atlanta Photography Group
Juried by Ailene Smithson
Editor and Founder, Lenscratch
"Staten Island Ferry"
Archival Pigment Print, 30 inches wide x 40 inches high (edition 1 of 10)
2025 CHOICE Group Exhibition
Atlanta Photography Group
Curated by Elizabeth Wilson, Fine Arts Manager at The Coca-Cola Company
Coca-Cola Headquarters, Atlanta GA
"Upward Facing"
Archival Pigment Print, 17 inches wide x 22 inches high (edition 1 of 10)