Rising Stars: Meet Cory Bilicko

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cory Bilicko.

Hi, Cory. Can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m a self-taught artist who works primarily in collage, oil/acrylic paint and digital drawing. My work seeks to find the beauty within the darkness and shed light on those who reside on society’s fringes.

After graduating from college, I moved from New Orleans to Southern California, and I now work as a teacher and private tutor. However, my true passion is in art-making, and I’ve entrenched myself in the SoCal art scene.

I’ve shown in the Museum of Latin-American Art three times, as well as in galleries in Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach, Palm Springs, Long Beach and Signal Hill. I’ve painted murals for the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, Steelcraft and Made By Millworks. It’s important to me to be involved in my local community and “give back” to it. So, I’ve also created art for and donated pieces to several nonprofits, including the “Forgotten Images” traveling museum of African-American history, WomenShelter of Long Beach, CityHeART, the LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Memorial’s Project HeArt. I’ve also curated two exhibits: the first was a show in which I invited 30 professional artists and 30 children to re-interpret discarded vintage family photos; and the second was “Common Ground: Only in Long Beach,” which I curated for the Long Beach Literary Arts Center, to feature local artists sharing work inspired by their city.

I also recently served as a juror for the “Inspired By…” small-works exhibit at the Rod Briggs Gallery for the Long Beach Creative Group. And I’m now creating digital illustrations for an educational app that I’m developing with a friend.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a mostly smooth road, with a few bumps along the way. I suppose the main obstacle would be the level of competition in the greater Los Angeles area. There are so many creative people in this region!

I just always keep in mind that “You win some, you lose some,” and each “rejection” is an opportunity to learn and a source of humility to make me work harder.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve mainly worked in painting and mixed media, but this year I’ve been teaching myself to create digital drawings on Procreate. After teaching and tutoring kids during the day, it’s easy – and actually relaxing– to lie on my couch with my iPad and Apple Pencil to draw without having to set up my easel, paints, etc. Although I certainly plan to continue working with traditional materials (because it’s fun and satisfying to get your hands dirty), it’s nice to have this digital option when I’m feeling a bit worn out but still want to create.

Aside from my new venture into digital illustration, I still plan to continue painting murals whenever possible. Whereas digital drawing can be done from my couch, mural painting is at the other end of the spectrum in terms of physical demands. Mural creation requires the whole body. It’s a workout! However, it’s extremely rewarding to see your vision come to life at such a large scale.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is that each day I have time and energy to make art, even if it’s only for an hour or so. A few years ago, I resigned from a full-time job to return to substitute teaching so that I’d have more flexibility with my work schedule, and I certainly don’t regret that decision. My life is much more fulfilling now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.corybilicko.com
• Instagram: @artistcorybilicko