Meet Corey Grayhorse

Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Grayhorse.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born at a time when Venice, CA was swimming in art, local hippies, creative culture and street shows. Childhood wasn’t always a picture of perfection, but it was always colorful in spirit and filled with love. A lot of my inspiration was drawn from my Granny Loretta Darling, who was eccentric, to say the least. Her presence always consisted of having a camera in hand whether it was to capture her Rainbow Gypsy Tribe gatherings or document the Venice Beach lifestyle. Because of her influence and my surroundings, I feel like it naturally impacted my creative drive which led me to a life immersed behind the lens with a focus on recreating my surreal version of “real life.”

Studies in photographic arts and formal darkroom training began at Venice High with Larry Shapiro, and my professional eye progressed in the photography department at Santa Monica College. Following my major, I taught digital photography at an after-school program in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and in 2010 exhibited in my first solo exhibition at AS220. From that moment on my love and passion for creating and exhibiting photographic fine art has been a steady force.

Please tell us about your art.
Color and wonderment is a consistent thread throughout my work. A wide-ranging influence of styles in art, photography, and fashion combined with traditional, and pop culture inform my perspective. I find myself inspired largely by my daughter, who serves as a constant muse in my art, and reminds me that every day is an opportunity to offer a fresh perspective in my work. Through the lens I create strange beauty and satire, eliciting emotional and social responses. Frozen in time through photography, the work becomes a window into a fantastic dream world, with hints of my reality, to draw an audience in.

The sets and locations are installations and a platform for performance art constructed and acted solely by myself, and my subjects. Through the addition of characters, my portraits show a deep interest in the unique human expression.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
My advice to those struggling as starving artists like I have would be to get creative finically and remember that no job is beneath you. Making art comes with sacrifice and a lot of hard work. Remember that you don’t make art to become successful or rich. You make art because it’s the only form of expression you have sometimes.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Currently, my work is represented by dnj gallery in Santa Monica, CA. Most of my work can be viewed at www.coreygrayhorse.com or at www.dnjgallery.net

I also have an upcoming exhibition “Development” opening Saturday, May 18th, from 6-8pm. That exhibition will run through July 6th at dnj gallery located at 3015 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3015 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, 90405
• Website: www.coreygrayhorse.com or www.dnjgallery.net
• Phone: 310-315-3551
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @coreygrayhorse

Image Credit:
All images are copyrighted and property of Corey Grayhorse. All images are a part of “Artificial Memories” series.

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