What can still be said about a RAW artist that will soon be participating in his 5th showcase? Well quite a lot actually; not only a good friend of mine, but someone who is also a fantastic artist that I admired long before I got the chance to meet him. Tom Ryan, a RAW Veteran, who, like most superheroes is a man with two first names, making him a perfect fit for this showcase of all things “MARVEL”. I was happy to get the chance to sit and chat with Tom further find out just what it is that makes him tick.
“What really inspires me is just the day to day life, looking for the unexpected. It sounds cliché, but you really never know when inspiration is going to hit, so it’s just good to be ready for it!” Evidence of this can be found in Tom’s work through some of his most recent designs featuring quotes taken from nostalgic cinema and pop culture.
But the real joy comes from the act of painting, “The day starts with a surface, I’ll prep up a piece of watercolor paper or a skateboard with spray paint.” Taken from a stockpile of canvases at the ready, so as to not waste any of that all-important creative fire, his backgrounds bring a certain level of whimsy to the overall work. The background highlights the composition through the use of urban accents, compelling patterns or the simply the natural beauty that comes from matrix being painted on.
But like with all great works of art each begins as an idea. “I let the colors and designs speak to me, which really tells me what the final image will be.” His colors are bright and organic with particular attention taken to each draw of the brush. “I then use acrylics to block in color and after that I use ink to bring out the character of painting” But that’s not the end of the day for this artist of all trades, after a few quick thumbnail sketches it’s on to the next piece.
And it’s with that little bit of paint and a whole lot of time that life is breathed into his characters, each one with a personality all their own, but never losing the essence that simply put is “Tom”. If you’d like to learn more about Tom and his work can be found on his website at http://www.facebook.com/TomRyansStudio and while your their be sure to “Like It” to get all the latest on this “MARVEL”ous RAW artist.
Check out Tom’s and all the other RAW artists on Thursday April 4th for “Marvel”; a one night event at the Russian Lady, located on 191 Ann Uccello St, Hartford CT. Tickets can be purchase from the artists of your choosing for $10 or at the door for $15. Doors open at 8 and remain so till midnight, for tickets, artists and more information about RAW can be found at http://www.rawartists.org/hartford
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