David, 63, has forged a unique path in his artistic journey, first dabbling in photography in his early 20s.
In the early days of the AIDS crisis, he became deeply involved in documenting protests, but when his partner fell ill, he set aside his passion to care for him.
It wasn’t until the age of 50 that David returned to photography with a renewed vigor.
After getting laid off from his procurement position at Sage at 60, he reassessed his career choices.
Having managed a small photo business on the side, he took a position as the assistant gallery director at Alan Avery Art Company to gain insights into the gallery system.
Nine months into this role, he stepped into the position of executive director at Atlanta Photography Group after the previous director had to resign due to health issues.
David’s initial exposure to high-end photography came through magazines like GQ and Vogue, where icons such as Annie Leibovitz and Herb Ritts influenced him.
Starting with self-portraiture, he eventually shifted to photographing friends, discovering his talent for creating visually compelling images.
Now, portraiture is David’s signature style, as he seeks to put people into narratives, showcasing them in their homes and various environments.
His career took a significant turn in 2018 when one of his prints was acquired by the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.
This pivotal moment made him realize the importance of understanding what it truly means to be a professional artist.
Billy, 68, shares a similar trajectory of self-discovery through art.
Having worked in landscape architecture and kitchen design for Home Depot, Billy began exploring his artistic side after retiring last year.
His journey into art sparked during a trip to Barcelona with David, where he picked up doodling while David took photos.
“If you are the husband of a photographer, you have a lot of time,” Billy humorously noted.
Encouraged by David, he embraced digital art through an iPad Pro that David gifted him, creating abstract digital artworks from manipulated photographs of patterns.
Billy quickly gained traction in the art community, landing a solo show at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s gallery for his floral work.
Digital art provides Billy with the freedom to create, enabling cleaner lines and allowing him to construct intricate collages that build unique worlds.
He draws inspiration from famed artists like Picasso, Joan Miro, and Dali, as well as pop culture figures including Peter Max and Andy Warhol.
His goal is to create abstracts that incorporate elements from these artists without simply duplicating their styles.
Billy values the challenge of elevating digital art to the fine art level, aspiring to develop installations and gallery shows.
David and Billy’s personal connection blossomed nine years ago when they went on their first date just after Christmas.
David jokes that their relationship began the “old fashioned” way — online.
After communicating on different platforms, they met for coffee, and what started as a casual outing lasted all day, making them feel an easy connection.
Reflecting on their relationship, David stated, “There’s something about meeting people at a certain age when you’ve had a lot of life experience and you’re comfortable with yourself and know what you want — and what you don’t want.
This felt … easy.”
Billy knew he couldn’t let David slip away.
“I can’t let this one get away,” he thought when he first saw David.
The couple tied the knot a year later.
In their partnership, a unique house rule is that neither offers unsolicited opinions on each other’s work.
However, feedback is welcomed and valued, as seen when David seeks Billy’s advice on art submissions.
“It’s fine-tuning,” David explained.
Though their artistic paths have remained separate, they collaborate in interesting ways.
Billy designed a piece used as a backdrop for David’s photo shoots, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, David enlisted Billy as his model, resulting in a striking portrait that showcased Billy in rainbow-colored sunglasses.
The photograph later traveled to an exhibition in Chicago, marking another milestone in their intertwined artistic lives.
In both personal and professional realms, infusing queer themes has been crucial for David and Billy.
David’s forthcoming exhibition, “ECCE HOMO,” set for 2024 at Alan Avery Art Company, explores masculinity, reflecting his commitment to LGBTQ visibility in art.
He believes that documenting communities is most impactful when it’s done by someone within that community.
“This is particularly relevant in today’s climate where visibility for marginalized groups is often threatened,” David remarked.
Their presence in the Atlanta LGBTQ art community has earned them recognition as a power couple, frequently attending art events and exhibitions throughout the week.
“We are fairly high profile and active on social media, always networking and engaging with the community,” David shared.
Billy described their success as unexpected, yet fulfilling.
While David knew photography would lead to something meaningful, he never anticipated his dual role as an arts administrator.
Now at the Atlanta Photography Group, he manages operations, writes grants, and plays a key role in organizing and executing around 20 exhibitions annually.
“Most working artists I know have a day job, but I never envisioned working in arts administration alongside my art career,” David said.
Both David and Billy have received the Emerging Artist Award from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs — David in 2022-2023 and Billy for 2023-2024.
They have showcased their work at venues such as the Art Institute of Atlanta and participated in the annual Pride exhibition at Coca-Cola’s headquarters.
Billy is currently in residence at Central Library through July and is thrilled about the ongoing “Digital Duet” show that he is co-hosting with fellow artist Callahan McDonough at Gallery 72 in downtown Atlanta, which runs through June 30.
Together, the journeys of David and Billy exemplify how artistic expression can flourish through personal connections and shared experiences, particularly within the LGBTQ community.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/2025/06/amused-at-being-called-a-power-gay-couple-theyre-into-art-of-networking/
