The internet is a mental melting pot of society, where hopes, fears, and opinions merge together in unexpected ways. Navigating this space as an artist means traversing new territory.

In order to illustrate the spirit of the digital frontier on canvas, Guillory relies on observing video games through projected imagery and painting them in an impressionistic manner. She uses oils and acrylics to do this, although she also does quick studies of avatars and digital still life with an ipad or ink and quill brush.

The fantastical landscapes of the internet make their way into Guillory’s short stories as well. Studying interaction between players in virtual worlds, she illustrates horror comics where Louisiana Creole fairy tales come alive in a new world. The old tales she was told as a child become new fables, where demons stalk the internet ready to dispense harsh lessons to any who are unfortunate enough to learn them.

Growing up in Detroit also taught Guillory the value of creating with what you have if you have very little. Inspired by the immersive art scene online and in Detroit of the 2010s and painters such as Gilda Snowden, Guillory runs online art programs and workshops out of popular live service platforms. There she passes on her knowledge of blind contour skill to anyone willing to attend. In this way she hopes more artists will find a passion for creation as she once did: for free, online, where the next great artist only needs to take the first step to get started.

The internet belongs to everyone. And only when everyone can contribute to such an internet, will it improve and be a place of community again.