Music:
Bill Paine has been making music since the late 1970s when he picked up a guitar and began attending weekly local Oldtime music jams. A few years later, he picked up the mandolin, and these two instruments have been his main outlet for musical expression ever since. He has played in many bands over the years, for concerts, private events, weddings, and square, contra and Cajun dances. In addition to playing traditional and modern tunes and songs written by others, he has composed a number of original tunes and songs.
Bands:
Bill is currently a member of $5 Short, The Gadabouts, Gumbo Limbo Cajun Band, The Yazoo Kickstarts, Katie’s Contradiction, GZ and the Rhythm Makers, Wild Bill’s Traveling Circus and occasionally sits in with the Fish Camp Cutups.
Visual Art:
Artist Biography: Originally from Tennessee, Bill Paine has lived in Florida since the 1970s. Over the years, he worked in a wide variety of vocations: motorcycle mechanic, meditation instructor, retail in a medium-sized motorcycle shop, touring musician, programmer and IT Director. He received a bachelor of science degree from University of Florida, in computer and information sciences, and spent over 20 years in the information technology field, before retiring from full-time work as IT director at the Florida Museum of Natural History, in 2016.
Creativity has been a common thread through all of his “day jobs.” Paine’s first exploration of artistic expression began in the 1970s through leather work, building custom motorcycles and making music. In 2014, he began a new phase of exploring and creating visual art, and since retiring, has devoted more time and energy to visual expressions of his muse, primarily unique sculptural art lamps as well as explorations in photography, while continuing to make and write music.
Artist Statement: The artwork I create reflects a bit of who I am. I have always been interested in technology and how various components interact with one another to complete a cohesive form, having created works from leather belts to custom motorcycles. I gain much satisfaction in exploring the multiple ways in which these interactions occur, and am driven to develop and execute combinations that best suit my muse and fit within the form being explored and expressed.
My work process is fairly fluid. With art lamps and other 3-D art, I begin by considering multiple possibilities in my studio/workshop, and when inspiration strikes regarding a particular concept, I begin “trying ideas out.” Getting from initial ideas to completed design involves visualization, along with rearrangement and/or fabrication or modification of components. I might work from a rough sketch or photo, but generally work without notes.
Materials I use vary, but include metal (aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass etc.), wood, glass, ceramic, plastic and paint. Since I primarily work with found objects, each find can suggest infinite ways of expression.
For photography, my work process usually begins with being out in nature with my camera, and shooting what I see. In addition to showing life as it is, I also love creating abstract compositions from “real life” images. These works are showcased in my Faces of Nature series.
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Much of Bill’s art is available for sale. Check the Current Exhibitions page for places where his art is being shown. And, if you find a piece for sale on this site that is not being shown in a gallery, please contact him through the Contact the Artist page.
If you are in Florida, you can usually see and purchase his art at Artisans Guild Gallery, in Gainesville.
More information can be found at his Facebook page, and please contact him with questions about his visual art or music.
©Bill Paine 2024