We are all well aware of his accomplishments on a snowboard, so why say what has already been said? Corey Smith is an artist in the truest sense of the word. His life reflects the work he does and his work reflects a dark sense of humor we all try to forget we have. Getting himself deep into the Portland art scene with the likes of Seth Neefus and Tim Karpinski, Corey is taking the art world by storm.
First off, thank you for taking the time to sit down and answer a few questions. What inspires you to create art?
Everything, life, upbringing, experiences, humor, politics, religion, you name it. By the way Seth and Tim are rookies to the art scene here in Portland. I love em’ and they are talented but let’s not use them in the same sentence as Portland art scene, they haven’t quite paid their dues yet. How about Shaun Healy or Dan Ness.
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Where do feel you are at your most creative? Do you need to be alone?
Much of my inspiration comes from surrounding myself with interesting creative people, musicians, other artists, writers, just people who are out to experience life.
What is your media of choice?
I prefer photography and painting. I used to want to be a filmmaker, then the snowboarding thing started happening.
You are attending art school, correct? Where? And how is it helping you as an artist?
I go to the Pacific Northwest college of Art here in Portland. It’s a little too much money in that I’ll probably be in debt for the rest of my life because of it. But I think education is a privilege and it has helped shape who I am. I’m super paranoid about becoming some dumb washed up snowboarder who talks like a Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgmont High.
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You have a website dedicated to your work. Explain it and what are you trying accomplish through it?
Corey Smith Art is just a site to help promote my paintings and photography. It’s easier for galleries to look at your site and check out what you do rather than sending out a ton of portfolios. I also have my work for sale on the site.
Is music a big part of the creative process? Who do you feel hit the nail on the head with their music?
I just like so much music. I’m really into this band called The Ponies right now, they’re so good and the lead singer sounds just like Richard Hell one of my favorite punk icons. Music is incredible to me and I really like learning the history behind it, like who influenced whom and where stuff came from. I pretty much like rock and gangsta rap, I like ridiculous over the top stuff too.
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What are your vices? Do you think that it is more important to stay healthy or should people “enjoy life?”
I don’t really have any vices anymore. It’s easy to get caught up in some bullshit with drugs and booze so you gotta take everything in moderation. Every now and again I’ll indulge, it’s so fun to be self destructive, I mean that’s what snowboarding is all about anyway right. I think you can still be healthy and “enjoy life” from time to time as well. Life short so you gotta make the best of it and have fun.
Now, you are obviously sarcastic and have a dark sense of humor which comes through in a lot of your work. Do you feel that this makes people take your work less seriously?
I think for the most part people get my humor, and if they don’t then they’re probably a lousy lay and a republican for that matter.
A lot of it seems funny, but at the same time you are pointing out flaws of the American culture. Can you explain some of the things that inspire these feelings of distaste?
Well, there are a lot of flaws in American culture that need to be pointed out in order to make this country a better place. Living In Portland I often feel like I’m living outside of American culture because this is such a liberal progressive city. I certainly don’t have all the answers. But obviously this country is split down the middle as far as political ideology, so I’m not alone. A lot of people in this country are simply unaware of just how warped things actually are. I have faith that people will eventually wake up and look back at this period in history in awe of just how out of touch we became with our political actions. Because I poke fun at flaws in American culture by no way means I don’t believe in this country because I do 100%. But I think that patriotism is being used in a manipulative sense by the current administration, in order to push certain political agendas, ya know the whole “you’re either with us or against us”. This country will get back on track, it takes time.
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You take a Warholesque approach to the mass production of work. Explain your process for creating a piece that has countless numbers of identical pieces?
Some of my paintings are one of kinds and some are multiples. If I make a hit I’ll keep reproducing it. You gotta make some money back. Art supplies aren’t free. Art is a commodity and a hustle, and you can’t ever forget that. Anyone that tells you different, is just running another hustle on you.
Most people are unaware of the amount of work you actually create. How many paintings can you create in a week?
I mean I don’t know if I produce much more than a lot of other full time artists, but I do try to maintain a pretty steady work ethic. It’s all about what you produce. I always think if I died tomorrow what would I have left to show for it, must work harder! Some pieces take a couple days and some can take a whole month. The silk screen ones are the fastest and most reproduced obviously. A lot of the time it’s the ideas and concepts that take time to evolve, not the physical act of making something. Anyone can make art or a painting or whatever, but you have to have a message or an idea behind it to make it worthwhile. You have to have something to say.
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This is not to mention all the product design you do. What companies have you done work for?
Pretty much for all my sponsors, you know the snowboard industry, “come on bro make some designs for free.” It’s pretty much the cheapest industry to be involved in. Every company expects you to do stuff for free or for way cheaper.
You are a photographer as well? What equipment do you use?
Well, my major in school is photography, and I’ve been getting into some fashion photography as well. This fall I’ll be interning for Ray Gordin one of my photography heros. I use all types of equipment and formats. What I’ve learned is that no amount of technical prowess will make up for a boring photograph. The same goes for snowboarding, you can be the best in the world but if your style and personality don’t come through and isn’t interesting or unique, no one cares.
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What do feel makes a good photo?
At this point it’s pure shock value, wit, and humor. Anyone can be a photographer but not everyone can take a compelling photograph. A good photo almost has to have a punch line to it.
What do you Love?
Life, death, stress, and all the pretty girls.
Your thank you’s.
Thanks to, Capita, Holden, Electric, Flux, Ambiguous, Grenade, Active, Portland, all my friends, anyone who’s ever given me a hand, which is a lot of people and they know who they are.
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