“Inside the Studio: A Day in the World of Charles Billich”Go behind the scenes — his daily rituals, sketches, conversations, and the energy that fills his studio.

106 George Street, The Rocks — the heartbeat of creativity for over 35 years.

Billich Gallery The Rocks

If you ever had the chance to walk into 106 George Street, The Rocks, you’d know exactly when Charles Billich was in.
You’d hear the faint sound of classical music, smell the oil paint in the air, and catch his unmistakable laugh echoing up the stairwell.

It wasn’t just a gallery.
It was his world — lived in colour.

Morning Rituals

Every morning, Charles arrived with his newspaper tucked under his arm. Some days he brought coffee for everyone; other days, he brewed it himself upstairs — the aroma drifting through the gallery before the first brush ever touched the canvas.

He’d greet each of us with that familiar sparkle in his eyes, asking how we were, and what was planned for the day. He genuinely cared.

Most mornings, he parked at the Clock Tower and walked down with Christa and their beloved dogs. Once he stepped inside, the day took shape — lively, warm, and full of purpose.

The Artist at Work

Then came the ritual: change into painting gear, cue the classical music, and step into another world.

When Charles painted, time disappeared.
The rest of us knew the rule — never disturb him unless it’s important.

Charles Billich in his Studio at 106 George Street

The studio was pure Billich: two large bookcases bursting with art books, poetry, and philosophy; paintbrushes in old jars; sketches taped to the walls; and sunlight glinting off mirrors and frames. Even his collection of sunglasses had a certain flair.

It was whimsical and lived-in — a perfect reflection of the man himself.

Lunch was a a ritual. Some days lunch was ordered in but most days , Charles and Christa would slip out to their favourite restaurants around The Rocks.

When they returned, there was always a story — about a conversation, a stranger, or a passing thought that somehow became an idea for a new work.

After lunch, he’d disappear back into the studio until the light began to fade, completely lost in his world of colour and form.

Some afternoons, instead of painting, he’d be writing — what he called his “quotes of the day.”
Scattered around the studio were sketches from his travels — Paris, Beijing, Dubrovnik, New York.
Charles never painted a city he hadn’t visited.
Every painting began as a sketch on one of those journeys — waiting to be brought to life on a canvas.

And between those works were limited edition prints, stacks of canvases ready for the next masterpiece, and folders of reference photos only he could decode.
What looked like chaos to others was harmony to him.

Legacy of a Living Master

To walk into his studio was to step into a living story — part museum, part sanctuary, part theatre.
Charles spoke of art as a kind of divine dialogue — a way to connect with something greater.

His advice was always profound, delivered with that dry wit that made everyone laugh and think at the same time.

Today, Charles paints from his home in Darlinghurst, still surrounded by his books, brushes, and classical music.
He continues to visit his galleries at the Fullerton and Shangri-La Hotels..

The original Sailors Home building at 106 George Street — a heritage landmark — is under renovation, but the spirit remains.

You can almost hear the echo of music, the laughter upstairs, the gentle scrape of a brush on canvas.

The Studio Lives On

That space was never just a workplace. It was a universe — where creativity met discipline, where humour met philosophy, and where every day began with a simple joy: to make something beautiful.

The walls may be quiet now,
but the legacy of Charles Billich continues —
in every brushstroke, every word, and every memory from that extraordinary studio on George Street.