Amazing Artist Series- Vol. 1, Alex Grey

Hi everyone! Welcome to the first in a series of posts on some of my favorite artists. I will get right to it and introduce you to a fine gentleman by the name of Alex Grey.

Photo Credit: http://andrewmcmillen.com/2011/03/09/a-conversation-with-alex-grey-american-visionary-artist-2011/

Alex is originally from Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in a middle class household where his artistic talents were nurtured by his father who was employed as a graphic designer.

Young Alex Grey
Photo Credit: https://www.alexgrey.com/bio/

Alex Grey Self Portrait (age 17)
Photo Credit: https://www.alexgrey.com/art/early-work/life-cycle-self-portrait-age-17/

Alex attend the Columbus College of Art and Design for a couple of years but dropped out to go and work painting billboards in the Columbus area. After a year of painting billboards, Alex enrolled at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He studied there for a year under the tutelage of Jay Jaroslav. This was an exciting time for Alex, as he met his soon to be wife and lifelong partner, Allyson, in addition to entering the realm of psychadelics. These experiences ultimately guided Alex to the Harvard Medical School anatomy department where he prepared cadavers for dissection in addition to his studying the human form. This time at Harvard would be the catalyst of the art Alex Grey has since become world famous for.

Alex and Allyson Grey
Photo Credit: http://www.itcprague2017.org/speakers/alex-grey-and-allyson-grey

The Artist's Hand by Alex Grey Photo Credit: https://www.alexgrey.com/art/paintings/soul/artists-hand-2/

Holy Family by Alex Grey Photo Credit: https://www.alexgrey.com/art/paintings/soul/holy-family/

As you can see, Alex Grey's art is something unique and quite spectacular. I have always found his depth of detail regarding the human form to be incredible, but the way he uses color really takes me to another place. Alex has credited his use of personal wellness methods and use of psychedelics as having a large influence into his art.

Here is my favorite Alex Grey painting, called Theologue:

Photo Credit: http://iasos.com/artists/alexgrey/

Alex and Allyson are currently in the process of bringing to life their ultimate vision, called The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM.) This amazing building is located in Whappingers Falls, New York. The stated mission of CoSM is to be a "contemporary public Chapel as a sancturary for spiritual renewal through contemplation of transformative art." CoSM has been in the works for many years and they hope to complete construction in the next few years.

Photo Credit: https://www.cosm.org/support/entheon/

The interior of CoSM:

Photo Credit: https://www.cosm.org/blog/cinematic-pilgrimage-weekend-cosm/

Photo Credit: http://eviltwinbooking.org/news/alex-grey-allyson-grey-launch-a-kickstarter-campaign-for-entheon/

I hope you enjoyed some of Alex Grey's art and back story. I think he is an incredible artist and is someone focused on using his art to bring healing to our world.

Here is the link to his website where you can see more of Alex Grey's art and check out updates on the CoSM project:
https://www.alexgrey.com/
https://www.cosm.org/

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