Artist Statement: April Ryan
April Ryan has an art studio and shop in Washington, her hometown.
“The Duck Pond” oil on canvas from April Ryan’s Pennsylvania Landscape series
A commissioned gown portrait by Ryan
“Eve: Contemplating the Future”
Artist Statement is an occasional series highlighting local artists.
April Ryan, Washington
Tell us about yourself: I starting painting when I was 11 years old and never stopped. Art has always been a great form of self-expression for me. I was self-taught most of my life, but decided to get my fine art degree later in life and pursue a full-time career in art. After graduating, I opened an art studio in my hometown of Washington, where I live with my husband. I teach art classes, have art parties and have a small gallery and shop on Main Street in Washington, where I display my work in addition to the art of others. I recently changed the name of my business to Thistledown Home & Art to reflect the wider spectrum of home life and how that plays an important part in our lives, expressing our individual styles and personalities though art, home décor and permanent botanicals.
“Queen of the Sea”
Artist statement: I find inspiration in nature, fables, spirituality and vintage artifacts. I love to stroll down the streets of old towns, browsing through antique shops for inspiration and perhaps discovering an interesting item for a mixed-media piece or a still-life painting. I also enjoy plein air painting on the beautiful rolling hills and farmland of Pennsylvania, on vacation at the beach or along a stream in the mountains. Perhaps my greatest interest is portraying a character from someone I meet along life’s path. I am drawn to them because something in my spirit is telling me a story that I try to interpret onto a surface. I like to incorporate history, fantasy, spiritual messages and figures into the essence of their painted beings. All of my characters are a real person that inspired me to paint a certain personality and/or convey a message of hope, healing, edification or simply joy. For example, my painting “Eve: Contemplating the Change,” was inspired by a young women I saw dancing on a early fall day. The leaves were falling in the air but flowers were still blooming. There was a great change stirring; part of her world was dying yet there was still the hope of new life.
I have traditionally worked in oils but have lately experimented with acrylics and mixed media.
I want my viewers to experience a greater wonder of life and perhaps touch a deeper level in their soul and spirit. One of my greatest joys is encouraging others in their artist gifting. I agree with the writings of Oscar Wilde – “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” I believe, along with Wilde, that people have a subconscious desire to express themselves and art forms help them to bring that into fruition. Hopefully, I can help others by empowering them to bring their artist expression to the next level, whether that be painting a picture, designing a floral or decorating their homes.
What are you currently working on? I am currently working on a few projects. I am working on a farmers market series that includes still life of fresh fruits and vegetables along with farm animals. My inspiration for the farm animals are mainly drawn from local farms. I also meet with an independent artist group in Wheeling, W.Va., where we hire models to sketch. These drawings are many times the basis for my storybook characters of mermaids and fairies. My newest passion is representational abstract expressionism. I really enjoy the freedom and intuitive nature of this style. I am experimenting with cold wax, joint compound and thick impasto. These paintings tend to have an underlying meaning that has a more spiritual element in an effort to make the invisible, visible. I also have three commissions right now – a seascape, a wedding gown portrait and a still life.
“Wild Thing” oil on canvas
What is your assessment of the local art scene? The local art culture is very promising. We have a lot of wonderful artists in this area, and I feel interest is growing with people of all ages wanting a person and meaning behind their art, instead of mass prints of images that are pumped out of factories.
Where can we see your work? You can see my work in my studio at 151 S. Main St., Washington, and I also sell prints at the SpringHouse. Or you can check out my website, www.artbyaprilryan.com.