Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Rankin.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started my life as a military brat with my father being in the Army. This gave birth to my exposure to travel, different cultures, and machines; like race cars, tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets. I never really found myself as being a very smart student growing up. I enjoyed learning about people and hanging out with all the crowds versus just one. I even remember wearing my football jersey while playing the snare drum in the marching band for a pep rally in high school. I had a hard time focusing and had a lot of anxiety.
I have always had such strong emotions and in a way, it has made me feel in a sense more than others, my mom calls it my superpower. Through my life, I have never been satisfied with a normal life and I chose art to channel my emotions and push the boundaries of what that normality was.
Now, after traveling to over 15 different countries, I pledge to express my love for humanity through the use of color!
Please tell us about your art.
My artwork began as a personal diary that held within it my struggles and emotions. I have explored sculpture, architecture, pastels, ceramics, and other media. However, when I saw watercolor for the first time in 2011 being demonstrated by my graphics professor, I fell in love. I was like a child again and immediately began to explore.
I love watercolor because it blends mother nature’s uncontrollable forces with you as the creator. You work in tandem with so many living things. The colors are transparent and vivid. I love using super bold and bright colors because it makes me happy.
My artwork doesn’t have a series or a style. It’s representative of my individual growth and the things I see or affect my life through my experiences.
I hope that my artwork gives birth to the viewer’s creative soul and that they can see something that evokes an emotion.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I think that there are easier and things that are harder. The value of art has gone down tremendously unless you get in an “approved” gallery with collectors. I say, if you find a piece of artwork you like, remember that even if its digital or handmade; a human being created that, it’s worth more than $20 or $40.
Support creatives in this world.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have a lot of work just sitting in my home studio because I love to paint so much, I find it hard to market these days. Sharing my work online through Instagram would help a lot too.
I would love to connect with someone interested in helping me to do travel exhibitions on my work. I also have a lot of floral abstracts looking for a good home! Just check out my work and let’s have a conversation about life and travel!
I have a website – www.ryanrankinart.com and an Instagram account Ryan_J_Rankin.
Feel free to message me or contact me on my website, Instagram of Facebook.
Contact Info:
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- Website: www.ryanrankinart.com
- Phone: 4058185958
- Email: ryanjosephrankin@gmail.
com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ryan_j_rankin - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ryanrankinart/
Image Credit:
Ryan Rankin and Ryan Rankin Art
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