Bill Dotson is a self-taught African-American artist born in Youngstown, Ohio. He works with a ball point pen in a style he developed while recuperating from an injury in the hospital.
In the hospital he doodled on letter correspondence using his hands and wrists, the only part of his body he could easily move. Using small circular movements he created a style of drawing that was very precise and detailed. Since 1973 when he received his first commissioned portrait, his style and technique have not altered, He is a masterful portrait artist commissioned to paint world leaders, sports figures, and television personalities. He has created the official posters for many national sporting events including The Ryder Cup, NASCAR, and Boxing Events. His original artwork now commands prices in the thousands of dollars. Many of the pieces listed on this site have been reproduced into lithographs and/or served as the front panel for collector greeting cards distributed nationally. An original or lithograph by Bill Dotson is a truly desirable work of art to be displayed proudly.