Artistry - from Acting to Visual Artist

In the world of celebrity we laud the talented superstars among us who can dazzle on the silver screen or perform on stage for audiences. These “stars” seem to be super humans who are able to do more than the average person, so it is no suprise that they can do other things to the max and are not only actors, singers, performers but are also skilled visual artists too.

Acting, like painting or sculpting, is fundamentally about expressing ideas, emotions, and stories. Many actors possess a strong creative impulse that drives them to explore different forms of artistic expression. This creativity is often not confined to one medium, leading them to explore visual arts alongside acting. To explore the concept of the actor/artist, I’ve compiled a list of top celebrities who not only perform at the top of their game in their number one profession but are also accomplished artists in their own rights.

Pierce Brosnan

Fellow Irishman and one of the world’s best known “Bond” started out as a painter when he left Ireland for the bright lights of London, where he began training as a commercial illustrator. However, the stage beckoned and he went on to train as an actor and to that end went on to have one of the greatest careers as an Irish actor with some starring roles to his name, not withstanding his stage appearances before landing his breakout TV role on the series Remington Steele and then moving to the big screen to become the huge Hollywood Star that is known the world over today.

However, outside of the world of film, he is also a prolific painter and showcased his works in a recent solo exhibition in Los Angeles in 2023, titled “So Many Dreams” with his work also available on Pierce Brosnan’s website here.

Brosnan’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries and events around the world, drawing attention not just from fans but from serious art collectors as well. Another notable aspect of Brosnan’s art career is his commitment to philanthropy. He has used his art to raise millions of dollars for various charities, including environmental causes and cancer research, the latter being a cause deeply personal to him due to his late wife's battle with the disease.

Brosnan's success as an artist has allowed him to establish a dual identity as both a celebrated actor and a respected painter. His art has become an important part of his legacy, adding depth to his public persona and offering insight into his personal experiences and emotions.

Anthony Hopkins

Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is one seriously talented man (with probably too many films to list since he began working in the 1960’s - however one perhaps can’t mention his name without referencing his great role in “The Silence of the Lambs”).

As well as being an aclaimed Oscar winning actor he has also begun to paint in recent years, with an enviable joie de vivre that shows in his creative vivid expressions which are often abstract or surreal. As well as being an actor and artist now, do you also know that he is an accomplished music composer (having studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in his youth) and has even composed a waltz that was performed by none other than Andre Rieu!

Hopkins is definitely a superstar among superstars and even in his eighties he is showing no signs of stopping to evolve creatively and is literally one to always keep your eyes on and listen out for. He finds joy in self expression which in turn allows us all to find joy in these expressions, I have huge gratitude for this.

Billy Connolly

Staying with another personality from the British Isles (but now has a house in the Florida Keys), Comedian / Actor / Musician Billy Connolly is not only a very funny man (hello, Prescription Windscreen joke!) but is also an Artist represented by Castle Galleries. His artwork features both distinctive drawings and sculptures. You can see more on Billy Connolly’s official website.

Now retired from stand up comedy, Connolly’s artwork reflects his humor, life experiences, and a distinctively quirky style. This man is a hero of mine with such a strong charismatic personality and I think his captivating personality shines through his artwork.

While Billy Connolly will always be primarily celebrated as a comedian and performer, his contributions to the world of art have added another dimension to his legacy. His artwork has allowed fans to connect with him in a different way, offering insights into his thoughts and personality beyond the stage and screen along with offering a unique window into the mind of one of Scotland's most beloved cultural figures.

Brad Pitt

Although Brad Pitt is best known as a Hollywood actor and producer, he has also made significant contributions to the worlds of art and architecture. His artistic endeavors extend beyond acting, demonstrating his passion for creativity and design.

Pitt has had a long standing interest in Architecture and in 2007 he founded the Make It Right Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at helping to rebuild New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina. The organization focused on constructing affordable, sustainable, and storm-resistant homes for the displaced residents. Pitt collaborated with a number of high-profile architects, including Frank Gehry, Shigeru Ban, and David Adjaye, to design and build these homes and the houses were designed to be eco-friendly, incorporating green building materials and technologies. Brad Pitt’s work in architecture showcases his multifaceted talents and his commitment to creativity, social causes and mainly his humanitarian effort which is beyond admirable. He himself has also expressed admiration for architecture greats like Frank Gehry and Frank Lloyd Wright, and with FLW being one of my favorites too, I admire him for his taste!

Brad Pitt's interest in visual arts, particularly sculpting, has become publicly known in recent years. His debut as a sculptor occurred in September 2022 at an exhibition in Finland, where his works were displayed alongside those of the artist Thomas Houseago and musician Nick Cave. This event marked Pitt's first formal entry into the art world and the public response was largely positive, with many appreciating Pitt’s willingness to explore a new medium and express himself in a different artistic form. Fans and art enthusiasts alike were intrigued by the depth of his work and the fact that he kept this passion relatively private until the exhibition

Lucy Liu

Actor Lucy Liu, film career has included notable roles in major blockbusters and cult favorites, starring in Charlie's Angels (2000) and its sequel Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), where she played Alex Munday, showcasing her action and comedic skills.

Additionally she is a visual artist and has created work that often explores themes related to identity, culture, and the human experience, and her artwork is known for its vibrant colors and intricate details.

Lucy Liu has exhibited her artwork in various galleries and art spaces around the world with notable exhibitions include her solo show at the Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles and her participation in group shows in major art hubs like New York and London.

Lucy Liu stands out for her dual accomplishments in both acting and visual arts. As an actress, she has made a mark with her dynamic performances across film and television, earning critical acclaim and a strong fan base. As an artist, she has successfully translated her creativity into visual art, receiving recognition in the art world and contributing to charitable causes. Her success in these diverse fields showcases her multifaceted talents and her ability to excel in multiple forms of creative expression.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is a multifaceted artist known for his talent and versatility across various creative fields. His success as an actor, musician, and, as of late, an artist reflects his diverse interests and abilities, showcasing a deep engagement with different forms of artistic expression.

Depp’s acting career is marked by a wide range of memorable roles. From his breakout role as Officer Tom Hanson on the TV series 21 Jump Street (1987-1990) to his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Depp has demonstrated remarkable versatility. His ability to immerse himself in diverse characters, from quirky and eccentric to intense and dramatic, has made him one of Hollywood’s most well known actors.

Depp’s foray into visual arts includes painting and creating artwork that reflects his personal style and experiences. His art often features a mix of abstract and figurative elements, characterized by vibrant colors and expressive forms and has been displayed in public exhibitions, including a notable show at the Castle Fine Art Gallery in London in 2018.

Represented by Castle Fine Art Gallery, Depp’s art is a personal and therapeutic outlet. His engagement with painting and visual art allows him to explore new dimensions of creativity and express himself in ways that complement his work in acting and music.

David Bowie

David Bowie was not only a legendary musician (and an actor) but also a complex artist and passionate art collector.

Bowie was a pioneer in music, known for his innovative approach that spanned genres like rock, pop, electronic, and avant-garde. Albums like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Heroes showcased his ability to reinvent his sound and image. Songs like Space Oddity, Starman, and Let's Dance are iconic, reflecting his flair for storytelling and character creation. His music often explored themes of identity, alienation, and dystopia, and he was celebrated for his theatrical performances and boundary-pushing personas, such as Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke. Bowie's influence on music and pop culture is immeasurable, with his work inspiring countless artists across different genres.

And he was also an artist. Bowie was a painter and sculptor, often working in a style influenced by German Expressionism, Surrealism, and post-modernist art. His visual art was a private passion that he pursued throughout his life, using it as a means of personal expression and exploration. His works have have been appreciated for their bold, introspective quality.

As well as being an artist David Bowie was a serious art collector, amassing an extensive collection of over 400 pieces, including works by modern and contemporary artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, and Frank Auerbach

Bowie's legacy extends beyond music through his contributions to visual art and his influence as a collector. His work in these fields reflects a deep, lifelong commitment to creativity and artistic exploration, making him a true Renaissance figure in contemporary culture.

And for me I always go back to the quote of David Bowie’s where he says ““If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”

This quote resonated with me deeply and I try and live by this in both my personal life and my professional art career - it helps me drive on and constantly challenge myself.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey is a renowned actor and comedian who has made a significant impact in the world of visual arts. Known for his expressive performances in films like The Mask, Ace Ventura, and The Truman Show, Carrey has also established himself as a talented and passionate visual artist, particularly in painting and sculpture.

Carrey’s journey into visual arts gained widespread attention around 2017, though he had been creating art for years before that. His artwork is characterized by its bold use of color, expressive brushwork, and often, a mix of humor and deep emotional undercurrents and his style can be described as a blend of pop art and expressionism, where vibrant colors and exaggerated forms convey intense emotions or social commentary.

Carrey released a short documentary titled “Jim Carrey: I Needed Color”, which offers a glimpse into his artistic process and the personal significance of his art. The film showcases his studio work and provides insight into how painting helps him navigate his emotions and life experiences (click to view).

Matt Dillon

Actor Matt Dillon is not only known for his film work but also for his visual art, particularly artwork that encompasses painting and collage which Dillon has been quietly pursuing many years. He began showcasing his visual art work more publicly in recent times. with his artistic style leaning toward collage and combining elements of abstraction and representation, often blending personal and mythological themes.

Dillon's work has been featured in several notable exhibitions. In 2019, his art was part of the Think In Pictures group show curated by Tara Amelchenko in New York. This exhibition highlighted the intersection of collage and pictorial fragmentation, a fitting context for Dillon’s style. He has also been involved in other group shows, such as the Friends and Family exhibition at the Peter Mendenhall Gallery in Pasadena, California.

His works have also been displayed in prominent venues like the American Folk Art Museum and Vito Schnabel Gallery in New York. This growing recognition in the art world has helped establish him as a serious visual artist in addition to his acting career.

Art Successes

The success of all of these talented actors and musicians in visual arts can be attributed to their deep well of creativity, dedication, and the personal meaning they find in their art. For them, visual arts are is not just an expression but an essential part of their artistic identity, providing another avenue to explore and express the complexities of the human experience.