Meet Chicken Billy | Psychedelic folk designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chicken Billy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chicken, why did you pursue a creative career?
Art has always been with me. Since childhood, I love to draw, write and be creative. Over the years and through discovery I have found, if done right, you can make a career with your art. Now I didn’t stop one day and say, “I want to be an artist!” I became an artist through the many choices I made in my life. I pursued a creative career because it made the most sense to me. It feels right. It is who I am.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is what I like to call psychedelic folk. It is mostly digital in nature. The psychedelic is two parts. One part energy. I try to create visually as much energy in the art as possible through bright colors. The second part is almost dreamlike or abstract. At times the art is simply shapes and lines. The folk part is also two part. One part nature or natural. I like to draw and create animals. Second part is from subconscious drawings in my sketchbook. I will not label them doodles because part of me is very aware when drawing them. I call them subconscious because I allow myself the freedom to reflect my inner thoughts on the paper. It is a very therapeutic act. All or some of these things combined make my art what it is.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

I got where I am at today professionally by learning my craft and walking the walk. I am a visual artist. A visual artist creates. The more I create, the better I understand myself and my craft. By doing, I am.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Is life easy? Maybe for some but I would be willing to bet everyone has their own issues and challenges. Anything worth doing is almost never easy and requires effort. Practice and putting in the time to learn your craft is where the magic is made, there is no substitution. Also, keep going. When you fail, learn and move on but do not give up. The world is hungry and needs you to keep going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Food…some of my favorites…lunch special at El Chico in Richland Hills (Hi Maria!), Spiral Diner on Magnolia (the El Paso Burger) Speaking of vegan burgers…Rodeo Goat in the West 7th village makes one called the Neil Young…so if ever. For something else, head on up to Haltom City off Belknap out of downtown Fort Worth and pick a Vietnamese or Thai place of your choice. You will not be disappointed.

Drink…bar(ish) hopping in Near Southside Main/Magnolia…
Tulips on St. Louis for a beer and maybe even a show. Tarantula Tiki Bar on South Main Street (close by Tulips) for a deadly drink!…or two. Leo’s Churro Bar aka “the churro truck” next to the Tarantula Tiki Bar…because happiness. If it’s the third Thursday of the month we can hop stop into Locust Cider and see artist Amber Bailey who is usually there. GTS! Then on to Magnolia Ave. with a stop at the Boiled Owl, Chat Room (for nostalgia) and maybe even the Bearded Lady…also hidden gem Liberty Lounge (515 S Jennings Ave.).

Visit/Hangout…You can not be in Fort Worth and neglect the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Fort Worth Community Arts Center and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. These three are all Crown Jewels…The Skinny (Park) near south main to see the Jeremy Joel mural and talk about his contribution to the local art scene and why he is important…The Grackle Art Gallery in Arlington Heights…Fall/Spring Gallery Night is usually one of their best art shows…Everywhere else…Orange Otter Audio down by the seminary to visit Clint Niosi, Doc’s Records, Lola’s on Berry St., Spider Lily Studio (W.7th) to see Claire Hecko for a tattoo. My favorite book store is the Half Price books off Harwood in Bedford. Thrift…ok fine… Haltom City Thrift (Hwy. 377/Denton Hwy.) has filled the void left by Thrift Town’s departure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad. He is hands down the largest influence I have had in my life. He gave me my first job. He helped me through college. He encouraged me to make smart choices through it all. Without him, I no doubt would not have made it into adulthood in such great shape.

Website: www.chickenbilly.com

Instagram: @chickenbilly

Image Credits
Skylar Reeves, Clint Niosi, Marisa Hayes