Ray Trill Harvey

November 03, 2023

Raytrill is an artist that has a ton of energy within the culture. Her art is edgy and beautiful as she brings in elements like shibari and latex to tell a story with her images. The details within her pieces lend a powerful feminine aesthetic that can be found all throughout her work. This year she participated in Paint Louis and was also one of the main artists that helped create the She Unit Paint Jam which is an all-female graffiti jam in Dallas, Texas.

Ray has always been in love with graffiti and street art her entire life so when she got laid off during the pandemic, she started painting, and people started buying. Thats when she realized she could make a living doing this.

◼️“All I wanted to do was paint, so I did. I never stopped and here I am now.” -Raytrill
-

Below is a painting Ray did of her friend Erika. The next piece is a self-portrait of Ray herself.

We asked Ray about her process and background:

◼️1. Did you go to school for art?

“I’m completely self-taught besides the countless number of tips I’ve gotten from aggressively, asking the people I look up to for advice/tips/criticism.

The next three images are a collaboration between Ray and Gemini @inimeg_stp

◼️2. Favorite piece of feedback/advice from someone about your art?

"I have a friend named Jah. He's my favorite artist and he always gives me the advice I need regardless of if I want to hear it. There's too many fave tips to count but one that sticks out is:

“If your piece can’t burn in black and white it probably sucks.” -Jah

Below is another collaboration in Los Angeles at The Graff Lab @TheGraffLab with Ray and Purple Sody @Purple.Sody

◼️3. How do you motivate on bad days?

"Honestly the key is turning your bad days into inspiration. If you're not feeling painting on your bad days go peep and art gallery, sketch, go watch a depressive ass movie or some shit cause those bad feelings, your trauma, your heartbreak... that's where the art that moved mountains comes from."

◼️4. Advice to those just starting out?

"Fuck what anyone says, even the ones you look up to. The most powerful artists alive did them regardless of what anyone said. A lot of people are called crazy by those who can't see the colors. Learn your history. Thats the one thing you need to respect. Don't diss other artists and don't sell out."

◼️5. Any art supplies you wish you knew about or had when you first started?

"Try every cap. Fuck purist shit. Caps are like paint brushes. You're not going to use a fat ass painters brush to add a highlight to a tooth on a 1-inch canvas. i don't care who tells you (these caps are the best) ain't no such thing. Each tool can help you. When I do mixed media if I don't know how to achieve an effect like glass for instance... I might break a piece of glass and glue it the fuck on there. Everything in this world is art. If you have a vision, use whatever tool necessary to achieve it."

◼️6. What got you into graffiti and street art?

I've loved it my entire life but always felt for some reason it was something I couldn't do. When I got laid off during the pandemic I started painting and people started buying it. I realized that I could actually make money doing something I loved. Because I was getting unemployment checks I had all the free time in the world to explore creative outlets. All I ever wanted to do was paint. So, I did and here I am now.

Below Ray won best character for the Terrifier.

◼️7. Out of all the projects you've worked on what has been your favorite and why?

My favorite so far... damn that's a loaded question. I can't pick honestly. Every experience, every painting and every drop of paint has shaped who I am as an artist. They all have ties to my journey.