After his daughter’s public tribute, 85-year-old Billy’s hidden talent as an artist is finally being celebrated.
Fish Hoek, Cape Town (21 August 2025) – Not all heroes wield paintbrushes, but sometimes the ones who do leave colour everywhere they go. Just ask Andrea Tocknell, the daughter of an 85-year-old Fish Hoek painter who recently shared her dad’s story online, and watched kindness pour in by the buckets.
Andrea took to Kalk Bay’s community page on Facebook not too long ago, sharing a loving tribute to her dad, who goes by ‘Billy’.
Billy is an incredible artist who lives in Fish Hoek. He has focused predominantly on bringing the Cape’s coastal and fishermen scenes to life on canvas. In his years, he has kept his talents (mostly) to himself.
Perhaps, as many of the greats often believe, he thought that his creations were not worth sharing with the world…
Andrea, knowing her dad’s gift, decided to honour him, sharing his work and some of his story.
“He’s painted the fishermen scenes and Cape scenes all his life even though he doesn’t originate from anywhere near the sea. But his soul has always been connected to it. He sits in a little pink Wendy house belonging to my niece, and creates these beautiful captured moments from there,” she says.
“He escapes to this world where his captured spirit feels free. And he creates such beauty. He doesn’t know how talented he is. I’m so proud of him,” she adds.
Andrea has given us permission to share some of her dad Billy’s artworks here.
“I just want to celebrate this beautiful humble gentle man, my daddy, and his hidden talent which he has never shared with the world.”
His paintings include colourful portrayals of the Cape’s iconic mountainous and coastal landscapes, lively depictions of roadside vendors and harbours, as well as iconic Cape Dutch houses and churches captured in stunning detail.
Within hours, commenters streamed in to appreciate the art. More than 6000 people responded in appreciation for the beauty Billy will one day leave behind for all to enjoy. Messages came in from down the road and around the world, some offering to buy his art, others just grateful for a dose of beauty in their feed.
The encouragement was so overwhelming, Andrea later posted a second message just to say thank you.
“You’ve all made a humble man so happy. It honestly took us by surprise, how a community can actually be family.”
Andrea has vowed to keep everyone updated about where to view or purchase Billy’s work, adding that he’s not strong enough to paint at the moment, but ‘who knows. He may have a few paintings in him yet.’
We caught up with Andrea this week, who was happy to report that her dad is doing well, but old age isn’t for sussies. Neither is it easy having ailments and illnesses, but he’s keeping strong!
Billy is supported by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Cheryl. Together, they’ve brought even more creative talent into the world with their two daughters and four lovely grandchildren.
“Just one last time, I want to let him know that he is valuable even if he never saw it in himself,” read Andrea’s tribute to her dad, who absolutely deserves it.
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