Billy Keith

Billy Keith is a self-taught solar combustion artist who uses large Fresnel lenses and the power of the sun to burn images into wood. The lens concentrates the sun into a 2000° focal point, which enables him to create art “at the speed of his imagination.” All of his pieces are freehand and made in the moment, if he makes a mistake he simply “keeps moving forward.” He has burned on small pieces of wood and whole sheets of plywood, end tables, tv trays, chairs, cabinet doors, even bricks. He performs in public on sunny days and enjoys explaining how the process works, and loves being able to share a moment of childlike wonder with people of all ages. Kids (and grownups) love it when he melts them a penny as a memento, but he’s also melted a piece of cheese a few times.