In 2015, while studying at College of The Redwoods, Ryan took his first drawing class with Cynthia Hooper — a figure drawing class. Years earlier, he was struck with inspiration while watching a painting instruction show by an artist who was also a surfer. The painting being produced was of a wave, but from the perspective one could only get from being inside the wave while surfing. Ryan saw that, as a ballet accompanist, he had a unique perspective on dancers in their “process” rather than in the “perfection” of performance — an oftentimes much more fascinating thing to see.
This spark of interest lead Ryan to a fascination with the knowledge of and representation of the human form, as well as a desire to hone his technical skills and learn to paint. He continued to study in 2017, strengthening his fundamentals at Santa Fe Community College with surrealist painter Pete Jackson; a strong creative and educational bond was quickly forged. Ryan has since been studying privately with Mr. Jackson, who has added the study of detailed portrait drawing to Ryan’s training, in addition to furthering his skill with portraying the human body, and with other techniques and media. Ryan’s aim is to evoke the feeling that motion and music are happening in a painting, as well as capturing the eternal striving of dancers as they extend more each day.
Ryan’s artworks are for sale on MERCARI!
