Sir Billy Connolly has spoken of his joy at being dubbed “windswept and interesting”, following the release of a new collection of his artworks under the same heading through Castle Fine Art.
Connolly, 82, was given the “brilliant” moniker by fellow Scots musician Archie Fisher during his early years as a folk singer, after he stepped offstage in a flamboyant white velvet outfit.
He said he had sought to maintain a reputation for being “windswept and interesting” ever since.
Connolly, who used the description as the title of his 2021 autobiography, has now launched a “Windswept and Interesting” art collection through Castle Fine Art, which has a gallery in Edinburgh’s Multrees Walk.
The artworks depict a dancing figure in Teddy Boy clothing and creeper shoes with “clashing socks”, shaking maracas.
Connolly said: “The title, ‘Windswept and Interesting”, was said to me by Archie Fisher, who is an extraordinary guitarist and singer from Scotland.
“I was performing at Methil Steelworks Club in Fife and I had velvet clothes on — white velvet flared bottom trousers and a skinny body and flared sleeves, and I was Jack the lad.
“I finished my show and came off stage and Archie was there and I was pleased to see him. He had just been in India and he said ‘you’re looking windswept and interesting’.
“I thought ‘yes, that’ll do me’, and it’s been me ever since.
“(Michael) Parkinson used to love calling me windswept and interesting. People love it once they hear it and it’s all due to Archie. And it’s brilliant.”
Connolly’s latest artworks include two giclee prints available for £1950 each and a stainless steel sculpture priced at £5950.
Inspired by Connolly’s memories of 1950s youth subculture, the figure is how he imagines his younger self — had he been allowed to dress in the distinctive style of the Teddy Boy.
Offering an insight into the pieces, Connolly said he hadn’t initially set out to depict himself, however.
He said: “It wasn’t supposed to be me but it looks like me. I’m obsessed with myself and I like to draw myself, and it’s just one of those things.
“It’s me and it’s my youth as I would have liked to have been, but wasn’t. I wasn’t a Teddy Boy.
“I would have loved to have been a Teddy Boy but I was too young and my parents wouldn’t let me do it.
“It’s the worst reason not to be a Teddy Boy, because your parents won’t let you.
“So this is me as I see myself.”
