Today we’d like to introduce you to Ty Brueilly.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My artistic journey began in 2000 at an Appalachian State fraternity party when I was a D.J. at. I grabbed the microphone and started performing my lyrics to an industry instrumental, and that was all I needed to proceed now I’ve done over 2,000 shows so far in my career. In the middle of that, I picked up photography, which then led to filmmaking, followed by the most recent being fashion design. I have lived in China outside of Shanghai for five years and traveled extensively with my art in South America, Asia, North America, and Europe.
My first residency-type experience was at LaborLove Gallery in Durham, which opened up my eyes to understanding what I could visually make possible with my camera. My works have been displayed alongside original Picasso and Goya pieces, and musically I have performed and collaborated with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, Wu Tang Clan, Linkin Park, and Avril Lavigne. With filmmaking, this year (2023) has been huge. My films have been screened at the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatres, which was a highlight, and many other historic theatres around the world, winning close to 50 awards thus far.
Last year, we held my second formal fashion show, and Mrs. United States of America walked the runway wearing five of my designs.
In my personal life, I have a wonderful wife of 8 years and two sons, whom all provide superior motivation for me and my work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not smooth; I always call it a beautiful fight. Starving Artist is super real. But when it comes to love and satisfaction with my family, friends, and fans, I am always fully nourished. Funding…that’s the biggest obstacle in the way. I met a businesswoman at a film festival in Los Angeles that said most people never have enough money to find out how good they are at something. That’s real. Also, adapting to moving back home from working overseas it was an abrupt move, and it’s been such an extreme adjustment since then; mix that with the ever-evolving way that art is shown, distributed, and bought, it keeps the road a bumpy as it can get.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m more well-known for my music, which is what I have been doing for the longest. Active since 2000, and I am preparing to release my eight-solo album in Los Angeles in December. Recently, I have been gaining a positive reputation as a filmmaker and fashion designer, and feel like I specialize in them all. I am most proud of my film-making work, in particular the ‘SHUCKS’ cinematic universe, that I have been expanding since its inception in 2017. I am currently working on my tenth installment of that.
What sets me apart from others is the balance that I have in all those aspects of art; it is a flex I am proud of but also a double-edged sword because it’s very difficult to properly give each art form enough time and dedication.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Stay consistent and persistent with connections. And I use that word CONNECTION very literal. If you are genuinely have a mutual connection with someone, pursue that fully. Don’t force it. It’s like any relationship; if it doesn’t feel good to them, they will give you cues. Awareness reigns supreme in this; be able to read a room, and if you can’t find someone who can delegate those type of tasks and networking situations to them so that you are still able to get your work and art out there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.filmandfashionbybrueilly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livebyacode/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealtybru
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-bru-b2b11866
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TyBru
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MTTSTV
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ty-bru
- Other: https://linktr.ee/tybrueilly
