Collection: Timothy Billy

Hi. My name is Timothy Kenneth Billy. I was born and raised in Manuelito, New Mexico; a small community on the Navajo Reservation near the Arizona and Interstate 40. I am a Navajo Native of High Tower and Bitter Water People. I am from a family of nine. This includes my dad, five brothers and three sisters, who all still live on the reservation. There, I generated inspiration through love, peace, tradition and culture.

I began to paint at a very young age, around fourteen years old. I have always dreamed on becoming as famous an artist as my uncles, Mark Silversmith and Al Chee, who have always influenced me. Although the most important person that influenced me was my mother. Before her death in 1980, she was also a great artist. When I was eight years old, my mother taught me to work with silver.Learning to work with my hands was a very important step. When she was gone, I felt so alone; even when surrounded by my dad, brothers and sisters. To this day, I thank her for my creativity and love of art.

I took several art classes in high school. In those classes, I learned the basics of art. In art classes at Fort Lewis College, I began to paint in oils. During my free time, I started experimenting with watercolors. While attending the Phoenix Institute of Technology, I continued to teach myself techniques of painting. I enjoy the medium of watercolors the most.

Someday, I would like to be known for who I am and recognized as other artists are who have struggled to get as far as they have. I hope you can appreciate art for what ,it is and for the beauty born out of the artist.

Thank you.