Bill Colligen

Bill’s earliest years were spent on a dairy farm in New Hampshire, where his love for nature, especially for all forms of plant life, insects, amphibians and birds began. Bill studied art at the UofA and at No. Arizona University. Choosing not to pursue a career in art he spent 25 years in California ending with a landscape design and installation business in the San Jose area.

Leaving the congestion and stress of California in 1992, he moved back to Arizona where he was inspired by the beauty of the open landscape while being stimulated by the vibrant artists’ community of Northern Arizona.

First pursuing lapidary work, he then discovered the potential of the gourd as a unique canvas for his creative vision. They represent to him the development of a living thing into a work of art through the application of special processes and materials. They are, in short, a union of art and nature. His work reflects his inspiration from Asian and Native American cultures.

Bill joined the Jerome Artists Coop in 1997 where he first exhibited his gourd pieces. In 2000, he began a career exhibiting his work at fine art and craft shows in the Southwest, including the Phoenix area, Santa Fe and Northern and Southern California. His work has been featured in Southwest Art magazine, Phoenix Home & Garden magazine – as an emerging artist in 2006 and in several hardbound publications.

Bill is represented by the Lanning Gallery in Sedona, Arizona.

Bill Colligen
billcolligen.com