Bill Burns (b. 1974 California) is a New York City-based artist whose vibrant, layered abstract works reflect a deep engagement with his surroundings and years of professional design experience. Through dynamic series in painting and drawing, he explores different facets of the human experience and makes connections between the spiritual and physical worlds. His process involves writing, sketching, and experimenting with materials, balancing intentionality with organic and intuitive creation. A former Senior Designer for Pottery Barn, Bill also freelances for global clients, blending art and design seamlessly. He regularly exhibits his work in galleries across NYC and supports the local art community through his volunteer work with Saint Marks Arts Collective in the East Village.

I believe in the sublime power of art to inspire new ways of seeing.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Burns’ work has been exhibited widely across New York, including recent shows at Russeck Gallery in Soho, Art Gotham in the East Village and Lower East Side, Greenpoint Gallery, and the Saint Marks Arts Collective in the East Village, where he also serves as Director. He recently had his 2nd NYC solo show at Collective Z Gallery in the Lower East Side, and his art has also been displayed on over 2,000 LinkNYC kiosks citywide. In 2025, ten of his paintings were installed at the Empire State Building. Burns just sold 95 paintings to Centric Brands for their office on 34th St, NYC. He also co-founded Urban Art, a creative collective whose inaugural exhibition opened at Maison10.

Beyond exhibitions, Burns engages deeply with the arts community as a student mentor with FreeArtsNYC and as an educator, most recently teaching a summer design course for high school students. Prior to establishing his studio, he was Senior Designer at Pottery Barn, where he developed thousands of products and collaborated internationally. He holds a BFA in Design with a Fine Art minor from California College of the Arts, and studied art history and architecture in Rome.