Every artist has an inspiration, or at least a catalyst.

For Chris Bilheimer, former University student and Athens resident, that catalyst needs only three letters of explanation: R.E.M.

Green Day’s 2004 ‘American Idiot,’ for which Bilheimer designed the cover art, has sold more than 14 million copies worldwide, according to Nielsen Sound Scan.

“[I was] not able to make a living doing [art] before I started working for R.E.M., but I’ve worked hard continually,” Bilheimer said.

But Bilheimer is a modest man. Reserved and direct, he shrugs off being friends -— and collaborators — with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe.

Bilheimer’s portfolio is best described as he displays it online: 12 photos of David Letterman. More specifically, 12 photos of Letterman holding his work.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to pursue,” Bilheimer said. “Something in music … but I’m a terrible musician.”

Bilheimer is an artist by trade and by passion. A former painting major, his work in the last decade is iconic — Green Day’s “American Idiot” bleeding grenade? That’s Bilheimer’s.

Green Day’s “21st Century Breakdown?” Yes, that’s Bilheimer and his wife. Still, there’s more.

Bilheimer’s client list reads like a who’s who of the alt-rock and alt-comedy scene of the last decade, but Athens — his home — is still at the center of it all.

Widespread Panic, of Montreal and The Whigs are three such bands.

Weezer, The Police, Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins have employed Bilheimer’s skills as well. Patton Oswalt — an Athens favorite and fan — David Cross and Sarah Silverman have, too.

Neutral Milk Hotel’s 1998 ‘In the Aeroplane Over the Sea’ is Bilheimer’s favorite record of all time and the piece of package art he is most proud of.

“Sometimes the clients have very specific ideas for what they want, and it is basically more of production,” Bilheimer said. “Other times it’s a collaboration — with R.E.M. everything is a collaboration and even that is different.”

Meeting — and later working with — Oswalt is again a lingering effect of Bilheimer’s relationship with R.E.M.

“I have to work in L.A. a lot, and probably in ’96 I went to this club — it only cost $5,” Bilheimer said. “Patton was telling a story about going back to his high school reunion and admitting to his English teacher that he fabricated things [in his assignments], including citing Stipe v. Buck as if it were real.”

After the show, Bilheimer mailed Oswalt a complete collection of R.E.M. CDs, and the two have become friends since. Bilheimer even contributed art for Oswalt’s first two albums and posters for the Comedians of Comedy Tour.

In turn, Bilheimer assisted Oswalt getting in touch with Stipe for Oswalt’s upcoming book release.

But now, Bilheimer’s time in Athens is coming to a close.

“I came to [Athens] to go to college,” Bilheimer said. “I’m turning 40 and my wife and I are ready for a change.”

In January, Bilheimer and his wife will move to Austin, Texas, a town similar in mood but greater in size than the Classic City.

Partly because of Bilheimer’s departure, and partly because of the breadth of his work and degree of success, Ciné approached Bilheimer about putting on a show.

“When Ciné asked, I think they were thinking more art than design,” Bilheimer said. “I almost named the show ‘Quantity Not Quality’ — I’m trying to show everything, whether it’s good or bad.”

Joining Bilheimer for Friday and Saturday’s “Blackboards & Smokebombs” are friends Lance Bangs — best known for his film work including The Shins “New Slang” and Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” — and Dan Donahue, a multi-disciplinary artist who’s worked for clothing company Penguin and whose clients include Nike and MGMT.

Even as he prepares to move on from Athens, Bilheimer is certain this won’t be the last of him you’ll see in Athens — and on Letterman.

“I’ll still come back and forth to work for R.E.M,” Bilheimer said. “I started here, I went to school here. From UGA I’ve done work around the world — I did it all from here.”

Blackboards & Smokebombs

When: Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Friday at Ciné, Saturday at ATHICA.

Price: Free