Celebrating the life of Billy the Artist today

East Village-based resident Billy Miller — aka Billy the Artist — died last month of cancer. 

Today, his friends celebrate his life and creative spirit... starting at 3 p.m. at the Long Pour (ex Thirsty Scholar) at 155 Second Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street. 

Around 7, attendees will venture down to one of his favorite places, the International at 102 First Ave. at Sixth Street. (Billy painted the curbside structure there as well as the mural in the back garden.)

Meanwhile, someone put up this memorial on Second Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street ... not too far away from the building he called home for many years...

Top photo by Steven; tribute pic by Derek Berg.

RIP Billy the Artist

Photo from December by Stacie Joy

According to friends, Billy Miller, a longtime East Village resident, better known as Billy the Artist, died last night.

His friend, the artist Gregory de la Haba, posted this tribute on Instagram:

With heavy heart, the legendary New Yorker, Billy The Artist (William Miller) died peacefully in his sleep last evening at Beth Israel Hospital after succumbing to the ravages of cancer.

He was a tremendous light in my life and always made me smile from ear to ear. He was "Pura Vida" whose art adorned products worldwide from Swatch to Nescafé. His first big gig was to paint panels for the broadway stage of RENT that captured the energy and vibrancy of the East Village, the place he called home for the last 30 years. Collector Steve Cohen recently purchased one of his famous cows and musician John Baptiste enjoyed playing his custom piano. His entire life was dedicated to art. And in sharing in the love. 

Rest in peace, my beautiful, beautiful friend.

We'll update you when more information on his passing becomes available.

Billy had created several books in the past two years, most recently last month with "East Village Closed" — a photo illustrative experience of life in the East Village during the pandemic as seen through Billy's eyes.

Billy loved the East Village, where he found the love and inspiration for his work. He will be missed.

Updated 1/25: 

There will be a celebration of Billy's life on Feb. 20 at the Long Pour, 155 Second Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street at 3 p.m. Details here.

The pandemic in the East Village as seen through the eyes of Billy the Artist

Photo by Stacie Joy

Billy the Artist has unveiled his latest book — "East Village Closed."

The book, a year in the making, is "a photo illustrative experience of life in the East Village during the pandemic," as seen through the eyes of the longtime neighborhood resident.

This past Saturday, he signed copies at one of his favorite local haunts — the International on First Avenue. 

You can read more about the 86-page book as well as find ordering info via this link.

Colorful new curbside seating for International Bar

International Bar has added curbside seating (three tables) here at 102 First Ave. at Sixth Street... and the East Village-based Billy the Artist is adding some color and style to the seats... (thanks to Steven for the work-in-progress photos!)...











The International is open daily from 1-11 p.m. They are serving some tasty ham-and-cheese sandwiches (with country-style ham and podlaski cheese purchased from East Village Meat Market on Second Avenue...) they also offer Superiority Burger's semi-ish-legendary Saturated Party Subs Saturdays and Mondays (and maybe Sundays and Tuesdays).

Updated 5 p.m.

And a final look at the finished product...

An afternoon with Billy the Artist

Billy the Artist signed copies of his new book "Things You Don't Hear Twice: Quotes From the East Village" this afternoon at International Bar on First Avenue.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the IBar ... and shared this photo of Billy with Tyler, an International bartender ...



...and out front, joined by Molly, the bar's owner...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Now hear this: About the new book of East Village bar quotes from Billy the Artist

Now hear this: About the new book of East Village bar quotes from Billy the Artist

[Image via @Instagram]

Billy the Artist is never without his sketchpad, which aided him with his latest project — a book of illustrations with snippets of conversation titled "Things You Don't Hear Twice: Quotes From the East Village."

The copies just arrived ahead of a signing this Saturday at one of his favorite neighborhood haunts — International Bar on First Avenue.

In a recent exchange, he shared a little about the book and his thoughts on the East Village ...

I’ve lived in the East Village for 30 years and have always loved the vibe and people here ... I almost always have my sketchpad on me and would draw in my various East Village bars and, of course, hear the craziest quotes from my friends or strangers. I would write down the quotes in the back of my sketchpad and that’s how this book became a reality.

Living and working in my studio in the East Village I need to get out and be with people — be it in the afternoon or night. As I’ve gotten older, I tend to like the daytime in a bar because it [attracts] more regulars.

This book has been in the making for a long time, and both the quotes and illustrations I hope remind everyone how great the East Village was and still is.

[Image via @BillytheArtistNYC]

Billy the Artist will be signing copies of his book this Saturday (Feb. 1) from 2-6 p.m. at International Bar, 102 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.