Canadian artist Raine Storey draws inspiration from her grandfather and paints large scale Surrealist scapes that reimagine everyday scenarios. Today we discuss inspiration, technology and wellbeing.

I am Raine Storey a Canadian born London based oil painter. After attending Queen’s University for Fine Art, as a Loran Scholar, I moved to London to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps -who was an English Fine Colour Printer and talented artist. Last year, I was fortunate to exhibit at the London Art Biennale as well as receive the British Arts Prize People’s Choice Award. I am currently exhibiting with The ARX gallery in London and working on a series for my next solo show @the_arx_london.

Tell us about your greatest inspirations or influences

My greatest influence was my Grandfather, Derek Woodhead, who was inspired by the surrealist movement. I grew up asking him to draw castles and do exercises of the exquisite corpse with me. As a teenager, I used to cut his grass and afterwards get an art lesson in his studio, where I first learnt to paint. Being around his work naturally influenced mine, but it wasn’t until earlier this year when we had our last visit to The Dali Museum, Florida, that I visually recognized the link between clever concepts and hidden imagery that passed through my poppa’s oeuvre to mine. 

How are the current trends in technology and innovation affecting your work as a creative? 

 Artists are creators and innovators.

I look for new opportunities to push the boundaries of my medium or to explore new mediums enabled by technology. However, there is a tactical and visceral element to oil painting, which is core to the human experience. People have been painting on walls since the stone age – that sounds funny – but the Paleolithic period extends the earliest known use of stone tools covering most of technological prehistory. In a way, not much has changed, eh? I am just a contemporary cavewoman embracing tech and innovation, trying to think outside the conceptual cave to survive. So, while changes will undoubtedly inspire my artwork, oil painting is the central piece of my artistic practice.  

We’d love to hear more about your creative process.

I don’t begin a piece of work until I have a strong theme in place and idea for a rough composition. The abstract is all momentary, it becomes a balance between realism and abstract brushwork, with abstract leading the dance. Beyond the initial theme that a viewer will see, I have already formed additional nuances, layers of meaning, that the observer or creative viewer of the work will notice. Once the painting begins I will continue to layer additional references to the work, like an inside joke with the world. This is important to me because the average gallery visitor will spend less than three seconds in front of a work of art. I became inspired to play on the idea that the more time you give my pieces, the more you will get back. This ongoing dialogue is why I also leave a lot out, the viewer can then position themselves to create their own meanings and see if they get mine.

Beyond the thematic elements, I’m frequently asked about the role abstract plays in the pieces, the abstract elements are more complicated for me, they involve complete creative license. These brushstrokes play many roles in the painting; they’re evocative of the ineffable feelings around the realistic elements, they can tie, be additive to, balance the composition of the realistic elements, or even in some of my recent pieces, blend into realist elements themselves.

What do you think of the art world and how it works in general?

There’s a constant state of change, but coming back to our discussion around technology; the art world is particularly a subject of (or beneficiary of) change, and technology is helping to re-shape our industry in some wonderful ways. NFTs are the most notable change recently to the art world, allowing for digital artists to sell art as originals. More broadly, the democratization of information and the connectivity that social media – in particular visual platforms – has brought to our world. People are exposed to art more today in a single day on Instagram then they would be 50 or 100 years ago over the course of an entire year (or lifetime).  That’s great for the consumer of art, and ability for artists to self-represent or collaborate. 

One area I’d like to see change in the art world is in bridging the divide between ‘commercial’ and ‘fine art’. In my opinion, art should not hold a negative connotation if it involves commerce or intent to make a profit. That is all artworks (and most markets) besides those held in public institutions. When I was in university I got along with my professors personally but not artistically. As I was selling work I was labeled as a commercial artist and therefore not put up for the same awards. I was even told to leave the program because I didn’t belong there! Being scrutinized by all my professors apart from one, Sylvat Aziz, made me not want to become an artist professionally as this was my only reference to my position in the art world at the time. Therefore I enrolled in Sotheby’s Art Business Masters program thinking that was better suited. It wouldn’t have been for me, as I live to create, but it took falling very ill to have the perspective that life is too short to care what others think is right for you. 

Anything coming up that we should know about? 

Ohhhhh yes! I have several projects in the works that are in various stages of development, and some are too early to talk about, but more to come soon on my insta (@artbyrainestorey). I am currently in residence with The ARX Gallery in London preparing for my solo show with them in November. Late summer I will head to my Canadian studio, where I am originally from, to finish off the series that will be exhibited. 

What does wellbeing mean to you and anything in particular that you practice? 

Wellbeing is important to me because I can only draw influence from experiences had. Art creates a great outlet for expressing and channeling what’s happening in my inner space. Even challenging times can present inspiration for my work and press me to create my best works. I had open-heart surgery a few years ago that changed my perspective, influencing my work by becoming less detail oriented – in life and art! Prior to my surgery I was a very realistic painter and planned everything. It is still important for me to plan and execute elements but sometimes going with the flow is important for my life and abstract aspects of my work. I guess you can now visually judge how balanced my life is by looking at my current works! 

Do you entertain commissions? 

Yes, the personalized themes, details and connections within the works are why I also love taking on a limited amount of commissions per year. This also allows me to talk to someone other than my dog in studio! I recently had a brilliant client where we incorporated fun family motifs into the piece; including their goat as a bartender pouring the family’s favourite champagne into a shoe that was a staple style to the client. Following shipment, I received emails that mentioned when their company is over they are still finding elements emerge from the abstraction. It is such a treat for me to hear that the work continues to have a dialogue.

Please do contact enquiries@thearx.com for more details on available works and to set up commissions.