Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Cormalis Jr.
Hi Bill, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a lifelong art enthusiast. My mother claims Ive been drawing, or at least entertaining myself artistically since I was 2. When I was 9, I decided to become a skater, and immersed myself into that culture. Art was a mainstay during those years by painting on my shoes, skateboard grip tape, drawing logos, and making pictures for friends. Though, Im not trying to progress as a skater any longer, I continue to ride and will always be influenced and follow the skateboard culture.
Once I started taking painting seriously at 30 years old, and with baseball being my favorite sport to watch and play since childhood, something about The Negro Leagues of Baseball drew me in. It became a fascination of mine to research the subject, and consequently I made artwork about it. About a year and a half after starting that project, I had 18 paintings done and wondered what to do with it. I had a contact at The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles California, and with her and the museums blessing, we decided to have an exhibition! The show was called “A Game in The B Leagues”, meaning these black men brought their, “A” games to the “B” league, the lesser, segregated league. This was my first solo exhibition. The paintings from this series have traveled the country in exhibitions being held in libraries, museums, and galleries.
Through my experiences showing my art, Ive also learned to curate events, personal and group events. In 2021, I organized and curated an event, celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the Los Angeles Dodgers Fernando Valenzuela’s triumphant rookie season. The event was held at The Pomona Packing House in Pomona, California, and featured 50 artists from around the country with themed artwork for the show.
As of 2025, I continue to make art and skateboard.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life has its ups and downs. I have the same struggles most people have. As an artist, once people start to pay you for art, don’t let the times when you are selling less affect your enthusiasm for making art. I started out making art for free and for enjoyment, so its a blessing if someone wants something I made and purchases it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I make mixed media art. My baseball artwork is what Im known for, and my artwork regarding The Negro Leagues of Baseball has opened more doors for me than any of my other projects. I am most proud that children are exposed to my art. Knowing bus loads of kids every day got to see and learn from my paintings is very gratifying. Regarding what I think sets me apart from others, is my NOT allowing myself to get locked in to a specific style. I will do a series, then kind of do something else. I love trying new things and experimenting with my art.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
As a youth, I gave my body to skateboarding. It was there I took my risks, physical risks and mental risks. If you really want to progress in that arena, you have got to learn to accept failure, pick yourself up, and go again. I’ve broken bones in every decade since the 80s on a skateboard. Risk taking in art, for me, is simply making the art you are compelled to make, then showing it. People will either like, or not like the art, and you can choose to continue or not, based on others opinions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.billcormalisjr.com
- Instagram: modernsportsart
