Winston M. Secrest was born in Arizona but raised in Southern California. Since the first day his mother submerged him in their pool long before he could walk, he was hooked and has been trying to get back to that underwater state of mind ever since. One that is deeply rooted and so relevant in his mind from childhood. Winston finds inspiration and creativity through his family of artists and the creative people he surrounds himself with."I become most inspired when feeling the creative energy pouring out of others."

 

The nickname "Rylee" is one that was given to him at a very young age. He has in the last three years signed his art with this nickname. WinstonRylee's art is that of true raw creativity. He believes in art as an expression of life, but in no way a replica. "I create to show the process of creation. I erase no lines, yet layer over them. My art is something that at 15ft, 10ft, 3ft, and 1ft away should give you a different outlook/feeling to analyze and think about." He is an artist that believes that too much education, in the technique and the history of art can cripple the creativity of an artist. "Too many rules set guidelines and yellow tape."

 

Today WinstonRylee show's at galleries in the LA area and stays involved with the NorthEast Los Angeles Art Walk and local community galleries. He's in the last year and a half shown at Heritage Wine Company, The York Bar for the NE LA art walk as well as the Los Angeles Art walk curated by Ayanna ink. Though his art is very ocean based it definitely holds true to the rawness of inner city style. He is making his way coastal with setting up showings with galleries in Venice beach as well as Manhattan beach in the next few months.

 

"I was going through a box of all these old pictures and collages my mom had kept from when i was in elementary school. As I really started to engage with some of these old sun bleached pieces of construction paper I realize that this might have been the most creative I've ever been. And that all these years I thought I was progressing. I had really just become more narrow minded in following others creativity. My goal I guess I'm trying to say is to get back to my place of creativity. Pure personal thought and emotion."