Atlanta Contemporary artist William Downs draws intricate stories in black and white

On the “City Lights” series “Speaking of Art,” local artists share insights into their influences, processes and experiences in town. This edition focuses on Atlanta contemporary artist William Downs. 

“My work is primarily black and white, large in scale, sometimes I draw directly on the wall, and then I hang framed pieces on top of that,” Downs said. “I like to create an immersive, whimsical, storytelling landscape of figures running around… gathering and participating in a very interesting act.”

Downs considers himself a writer in the sense that his drawings tell stories.