We were lucky to catch up with Audrey Gore recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Audrey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

As long as I can remember. From childhood, I have had the desire to create constantly. Whether I was painting, drawing or working on any kind of creative project, I loved the way I could escape from everything else into my own little corner of my imagination.

In high school I made the decision to study painting at The Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It ended up being a great decision—I loved this school and how the curriculum was presented. Instead of being in the mix of all the typical high school drama, everyone there was passionate about what they were learning. During this time, I was also working for a children’s boutique where I would hand-paint furniture, gifts, murals and teach children’s art classes. I stayed with this company for six years—through high school and college as their lead artist. I assisted the owners with training new artists, buying at the New York Toy Market, as well as expanding their brand with franchises along the East Coast. I learned valuable lessons about how to run a business early on that continue to benefit me today.

When the time came for me to decide on a major for college there was no uncertainty, I knew I wanted to study Studio Arts.

Audrey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The circumstances when I finished my first degree really shaped my future. The economy had all but collapsed and finding opportunities within the arts was extremely difficult. I knew I needed to make tough decisions if I were going to establish a career. I decided to return to school for Digital Arts and ended up being selected for an internship as a Graphic Designer with Warren Miller Entertainment in Boulder, Colorado. It was a great opportunity, so I moved from South Carolina and finished my last semester of classes remotely. After the internship, I returned home and began working with a local marketing agency and for the next decade I worked with marketing agencies as Art and Creative Directors. Over time I began feeling burned out due to long hours and I missed creating with my hands. I decided to leave the agency world—I didn’t have a plan but I knew I needed change.

I accepted a role as the Assistant Art Director for artist Dorothy Shain, a part time position which allowed me to accept freelance design work. I helped Dorothy with day-to-day operations and navigate developing and launching her first collection of textile and wall coverings. It was a great way to combine my experience with both fine and digital arts. When the Covid pandemic initially happened, I was furloughed. Despite the terrible state of the world, I welcomed the opportunity for introspection, seeing in it another way of being, another way of tending to my inner garden, another way of growing a new garden. I filled my time with creating; in an effort to spread joy, I began sharing painted cards on Instagram and offered them to anyone who wanted one, free of charge. I was mailing out stacks of cards each week, many to strangers I’ve never met before. It brought me happiness during a dark and scary time. I began receiving requests for art commissions and my branding projects increased. All of this happened organically and before I realized it, I was managing my own business. It may be cliché, but it really was an experience of taking life’s lemons and making lemonade.

Currently, I work as an artist and designer in Greenville, South Carolina. I offer branding and graphic design services to clients for both digital and print needs. When I’m working as a graphic designer, my work differs greatly from when I am painting. When designing, I am creating something that visually represents my clients’ brand, resonates with their target audience, and helps solve a problem for them. As an artist, I am exploring and creating to share my own experiences and stories with others.

I primarily am a mixed-media artist and enjoy using watercolor, gouache, oil pastels, color pencils, soft pastels, acrylics and oils. Notes of femininity paired with joyful color palettes and sensibilities are deeply rooted in my artistic style. I am often inspired by the natural world, but I enjoy switching things up and painting whatever is currently inspiring me. My art studio is located in the Arts District of Greenville, South Carolina. I enjoy meeting a new face, so if you’re in the area please stop by! Studio visits are available by appointment.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2022, just as my business was at its peak, I was rushed to the hospital one morning due to severe arterial blood clotting in my left arm. It was shocking because I was healthy and hadn’t had any warning signs. A team of doctors informed my husband and I that there was a high likelihood I would die if things did not improve quickly. By some chance of a miracle, I survived. A few days later, my doctors again brought bad news and explained that there was a significant possibility they would have to amputate my arm. My first thought was, at least it’s not my right arm…I could still paint and manage day-to-day life with my dominant arm. During this time, everything in your business falls to the wayside and is put on pause. It was the single most frightening event of my life. After 20 long days in the hospital, I returned home with my life and arm intact! Picking my business back up after this was incredibly difficult. It’s been a long journey but it has taught me how resilient and courageous I truly am – something I would never have described myself as previously. When life is at its worst, you really find deep down what you are made of.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being an artist and creative is much like how it would feel if you were to imagine walking about in public naked. You put so much of your inner being on display for the world to judge, criticize, and decide if it is or isn’t good enough. This can be unnerving and even crippling. In high school I read a quote by Andy Warhol that has stayed with me since, “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide whether it’s good or bad, whether they love or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

Finding your way as an artist and creative requires courage, curiosity, and flexibility to enter unknown territory. It’s the small wins, big accomplishments, learning from the failures and, most importantly, the sheer joy it brings me to share what I create with others that continuously fuels me.

Contact Info:

• Website: audreygore.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreyannagore/
• Other: https://campbellcollective.co/collections/audrey-gore

Image Credits
Emily Bolt Emily Barbee Alyssa Layman