Bill Burns is an American Artist & Designer based in New York City.

Artist Statement

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 seeks to bridge the spiritual and physical worlds. His process involves writing, sketching, and experimenting with materials, balancing intentionality with organic and intuitive creation.

At the heart of his practice is the belief that art holds the power to inspire—offering solace, peace, and hope in uncertain times. His work encourages viewers to search for the good in the world, to see the light even in the darkness, and to carry forward a sense of resilience and possibility. A former Senior Designer for Pottery Barn, Bill also freelances for global clients, blending art and design seamlessly. He regularly exhibits in galleries across NYC and supports the local art community through his volunteer work with various organizations.

He believes in the sublime power of art to open hearts, shift perspectives, and remind us that life is filled with possibilities if we are brave enough to seek it.

Artist Bio

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. His first NYC solo exhibition, Emerge (2023–present), features 26 works, 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, and he 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.

Instagram: @billburnsstudio