Carol Ryan

The work of Carol Ryan represents her belief that each piece of art will take us deeper into the mystery of life. Primarily an abstract artist using acrylics and watercolors, Carol feels that too many images will distract the viewer's opportunity to go beneath the surface, using the emotions her art creates, to their own personal discovery.

As a colorist, her work challenges you to accept a world where violet skies, fuchsia and lemon hills, maroon trees, purple and indigo shadows make absolute sense. These strong bold colors are used to evoke the emotional imprint of nature, not to mirror nature as traditionally seen.

The artist gives careful consideration to composition, values and color - but the actual application is an intuitive process, one of layering color, drying, more layers, texture, dripping and spattering. An artist who knowingly risks a painting by adding the last bit of color in search of pure ectasy.

Her main influence and breakthrough came from studying with well-known author and artist, Jeanne Carbonetti, in Chester Vermont. She continues to be strongly influenced by Milton Avery, Mark Rothko, and Helen Frankenthaler.

Carol relates strongly to a statement made by Henry Matisse: "Before I had no taste for anything, I was filled with indifference toward everything that people wanted me to do. But the moment I had this box of color in my hands, I had a feeling that my life was there."

Carol's work has been sold at many Juried art shows. It can also be seen in local galleries as well as private collections around the United States.