I learned a lot in this last workshop we had at the C.A.S. It was an absolute pleasure having some of my best painting friends in town for the month. As always happens when I get together with them, my requirements for my own work increase, and I become a better painter just as a result of expecting more of myself. I used to think that as a painter I could live anywhere that had access to a shipper that would allow me to ship my work to the galleries. But the more I work, the more I realize the absolute need that I have to surround myself with great painters and a deep artistic culture. It is so easy to slip into the trappings of mediocrity when you are the only one reminding yourself to constantly try harder. The more biographies I read of past painters the more I am convinced that a large part of their achievements in painting were a direct result of their close associations with other great painters and other great minds. The cumulative thoughts of so many talented people can only make everyone better. It has been my goal since I returned to Utah from Florence in 2008 to move to Paris. I gave myself a goal of 5 years to accomplish this. I think I'm on schedule. I'm hopeful that this city will prove an inspiration to me. Actually I'm certain it will. But I am also hopeful that it will prove to be a draw for many other great artists, and that together we can create our own little bubble of artistic brilliance that in some way mirrors the talent that made the city culturally significant in the first place.

Above is Greg Mortenson, Jesus Villareal, Travis Seymour and Me Below is Jordan Sokol painting in my studio

Here are all of the participants in front of the studio

Here are all the participants in the gallery area of the studio

This is my painting about halfway finished. I'll post images soon of the finished painting. I should be able to finish it this week.

August 2011 Workshop

The Academic Figure and Landscape workshop that we put on this August was a fantastic experience. Students came from all over the country to study with some leading artists. The idea behind the workshop was to bring together the ideals and methods from the Florence Academy of Art, the Angel Academy of Art and the Grand Central Academy of Art under one roof. We had two models (one set up in a typical Academic Nude pose and the other in a fully staged figure setting) that we worked on for 5 hours a day, 6 days a week from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday. We then went landscape painting from 4-7 in the evenings. The time flew by much faster than expected. It's hard to believe it's over. Here are some photos of our experience. The following are photos of me and my model Katie Leishman and my awesome seamstress Meadow Alexander working on designing the dress for the workshop setup.







Here is my thumbnail sketch to work out the composition.

A Hidden Gem - Kamille Corry

Since my return from Florence in 2008, I have felt a bit isolated as a an artist. The environment, conversation and culture that I was able to experience every day in Florence didn't exist here in Utah. Or so I thought. Recently, I was able to visit Kamille Corry's studio in Salt Lake. I have met her before, but briefly. And at the time I was too naive to see what a brilliant mind she had and how artistically mature she was. I'm very excited to get to know her more. She is such a cool person and incredibly talented. I only wish I could have realized this sooner.
The photo was taken Sunday when Jordan Sokol, Travis Seymour and I visited her studio for a few hours. Jordan and Travis are in town from Florence and North Carolina to teach at the month long workshop I am putting on at the Center for Academic Study & Naturalist Painting.

Some New Images

Here's a few new things. The Nestor drawing isn't new, but I just had it mounted and got a little better photo of it. The portrait of Brody was Courtney's Christmas present. And the drawing of Olivia was a demonstration I did for students in January.

Drawing of Olivia



Drawing of Nestor



Portrait of Brody

A few New Figures

Cassandra 11 x 17 oil
Reclining Nude 12 x 22 oil

New Portrait in Progress

Here's a portrait I've been working on. It's obviously not finished, but I thought a photo that showed the progress might be interesting.

Exhibition at the Covey Center for the Arts

Everyone is invited to attend the opening reception Friday, November 6, 2009 from 6-9 p.m at the Covey Center for the Arts. This exhibition will run from November 6-30, 2009. My new large work "Kaaterskill Clove, New York" will be on display. This painting is 54 x 112 inches and was just on display as part of the 'Hudson River Revival' Exhibition at the Springville Museum of Art. I'd love to see everyone there!
Observations From Life
Work by Ryan S. Brown
November 6-30, 2009
Gallery hours: Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Opening reception: Friday,
November 6, 6 - 9 p.m.
Free
Covey Center for the Arts
425 West Center Street
Provo, Utah 84601