Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Elliott.
Rodney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My artistic journey has always been about movement and challenging the way we perceive space. It began with a technical foundation—harnessing the precision of 3D modeling and photogrammetry to explore form and structure. Specifically, I use 3D models to generate my own reference images, allowing me to precisely control every aspect of light and composition before I ever pick up a brush or tool.
That digital accuracy eventually became the bridge to something more visceral. I integrated my signature high-contrast, black-and-white stripes—inspired by dazzle camouflage—to disrupt depth perception, turning static canvases and sculptures into active, shifting experiences. From my solo exhibitions like Beyond the Lines and Bereft of Color to my public murals and site-specific work, my goal is to create environments that you can actually inhabit.
Today, my process is a constant dialogue between the screen and the physical. I leverage that 3D-generated foundation to map out my concepts, while layering in augmented reality to add another dimension to the work. It’s all about creating an immersive space where the lines between the virtual and the real completely dissolve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have also been moments of profound personal challenge, like losing my sister, Armincie, in the middle of this creative journey. Navigating grief while maintaining the momentum required for residencies and solo exhibitions tested my resolve. But in many ways, those experiences forced me to lean harder into the work, using it as a way to ground myself and process what was happening.
Ultimately, those bumps in the road are where the most growth happened. They forced me to get better at project management, to refine my technical process, and to be more intentional about what I put out into the world. It’s never been about an easy road; it’s been about the discipline to keep showing up and building, no matter the obstacles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a multimedia designer and senior 3D animator, but my artistic practice as QRC KY (pronounced “Corky”) is where I push the boundaries of visual perception. I specialize in bridging the gap between hyper-precise digital workflows and visceral, physical art.
What I Do & What I’m Known For
I am best known for my signature use of high-contrast, black-and-white stripes inspired by the principles of dazzle camouflage. By applying these bold patterns to canvases, sculptures, and large-scale murals, I disrupt the viewer’s depth perception and turn static forms into active, shifting experiences.
My process is uniquely technical. I don’t just sketch; I use 3D modeling and photogrammetry to build highly controlled, immersive references where I can manipulate light and composition exactly how I want before anything is ever built or painted. Recently, I’ve been integrating WebAR into these pieces, allowing me to layer digital experiences directly onto my physical works, creating an environment that feels both tangible and infinite.
What Sets Me Apart
What distinguishes my work is the marriage of “hard” technical skill with “soft” perceptual art. While many artists work intuitively, I leverage my 20+ years of professional design and animation experience at International Sound Corporation to create complex, site-specific installations that require rigorous technical planning. I don’t just make objects; I build environments where the lines between the digital and physical worlds dissolve.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I am most proud of my ability to maintain this rigorous creative practice while navigating life’s complexities. Successfully executing solo exhibitions like Beyond the Lines and Bereft of Color, alongside my recent mural work in my hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, proves that my vision holds up across different scales and mediums.
Beyond the accolades, I’m deeply proud of the way I’ve learned to use my art as a language. Whether I am teaching, designing, or creating fine art, the goal is always the same: to challenge how we look at the world and offer a new perspective.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Acquisition: My work is available for purchase for private collections and corporate spaces. Investing in a piece not only brings a unique, “dazzle-inspired” perspective into your environment but also directly fuels the creation of my next project.
Exhibition Opportunities: I am actively seeking partnerships with galleries, museums, and public art programs for solo exhibitions, site-specific murals, and large-scale installations.
Share the Vision: If my work resonates with you, sharing it within your network or documenting your experience with it is invaluable. Visibility is the catalyst for the next opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.qrcky.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qrcky/
