About Page
Artist Statement
Artist Statement - Recent Work:
My equine paintings are a celebration of the wonder of horses - who they are and what they allow us to do with them regardless of our usually flawed motives. They bring out the best and the worst in us; from discipline and compassion to self-centered pride and greed.
My equine sculptures are a celebration of the power and presence of horses - who they are and what they are capable of. They elicit deep reactions from us be it excitement, awe, laughter or love.
My paintings of landscapes and other animals, wild or domestic, are a celebration of the wonder of God's creation - the variety, beauty and complexity of every living thing inspires us to examine ourselves, our environment and our priorities.
I have grown to appreciate each animal as an individual, with its own personality, behavior and perspective on the world.
In addition to capturing their inherent beauty, the animals I paint and sculpt also represent a mirror of ourselves, magnifying how we relate to the world and each other.
Artist Background:
Robyn Ryan was accepted as the youngest student in a National Watercolor Society Artist's class at eight years old. From this solid foundation, she has continued to refine her talent by attending workshops, classes, and working with other artists whose work she greatly admires.
Ms. Ryan is the recipient of several awards and honors. She was Vice President of the Art First Gallery & Studios cooperative gallery in Fredericksburg, VA and has been featured in several shows, both juried and invitational. Ms. Ryan has many of her pieces in numerous private collections resulting from gallery sales, referrals, and commissions. She was selected to create the original artwork for multiple vintage wine labels at a local Virginia winery.
Ms. Ryan's predominant style is representational while exploring "looser" expressions to enhance the overall design and meaning of each work of art. Ms. Ryan currently focuses on depicting her favorite subjects in both watercolor and bronze mediums. She has also worked in Acrylic, Pen & Ink, Pastel, and Graphite over the years. While demonstrating her affinity towards animal related subject matter, Ms. Ryan also demonstrates that she is equally skillful in portraying people, landscapes, and still life subjects as well.
Ms. Ryan's subject matter focuses on that which allows her to express relationships between living things. Horses are a favorite subject, but all living things; human, plant, and animal, offer endless possibilities to express this theme.
Art Education:
2005 - 2008 Intensive Studies Seminar with Skip Lawrence, Katherine Cheng Liu, Christopher Schink, Fran Larson, and Alex Powers.
2000 - 2009 James Madison University - Orkney Springs Summer Workshops with Gwen Bragg, NWS.
2003 American Academy of Equine Art - Equine Scupture Workshop with Gwen Reardon, AAEA.
1995 - 1999 James Madison University - Orkney Springs Summer Workshops with Jean Cauthen, Herb Olds, Elizabeth Arbaugh, Don Crow, and Rebecca Humphrey.
1996 - 1998 The Art League School with Jane Simanis and Steve Prince.
1972 - 1977 Studied with Judy Wengrovitz, NWS.
Sample of Robyn's Work
Browse the full collection at the gallery.
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Exhibitions
| 11-12/06 |
Steward School Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts Gallery Equine Celebration & Other Recent Work |
| 9/1-14/06 |
Studio A, Fredericksburg, VA Robyn Ryan Solo Exhibition - Recent Work |
| 5/20/2006 |
Hurkamp Park, Fredericksburg, VA Fredericksburg Art Festival - 20-21 May 2006 |
| 6/10/2006 |
Purcellville, VA "Art in the Alley" Art Festival |
| 4/1/2006 |
John Tyler Community College, Midlothian, VA Inaugural "Fool For Art" Art Festival - 2006 |
| 5/1/2006 |
The Highland Center for the Arts, Warrenton, VA Piedmont Artist's League - Carousel of Color 2006 |
| 4/1/2006 |
The Highland Center for the Arts, Warrenton, VA, April - May 2006 Virginia Fine Arts Festival |
| 3/31/2006 |
The Deland Museum of Art, Deland FL Everything Equine 2006 |
| 1994 |
Hartwood, VA Hartwood Winery Logo & Wine Labels for Hartwood Station White and Cabernet Sauvignon Wines |
| 1994 |
Hartwood, VA Hartwood Winery Artist Series of Three Wine Labels for the 1994 Vintage Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon Wines |
| 1996 |
Fredericksburg, VA 45th Annual Fredericksburg Fine Arts Exhibit, Awarded Honorable Mention for Reflections |
| 1996 |
VA Horse Center, Lexington, VA Virginia Horse Festival Equine Art & Photography Show, Awarded Best in Show & Reserve Most Popular for Turning Four on a Dime |
| 1996 |
Hurkamp Park, Fredericksburg, VA Fredericksburg Juried Media Show |
| 1997 |
Charlottesville, VA Central Virginia Watercolor Guild Juried Art Show, Margaret Huddy - Juror, Awarded Honorable Mention for Fourth Generation |
| 1998 |
The Plains, VA Display of Artwork by Invitation at Great Meadows for Gold Cup Steeplechase |
| 1998 |
Fredericksburg, VA Pots & Palettes, Featured Artist, June through October 1998, Display of Artwork by Invitation 1998 - Present |
| 1998 |
Fredericksburg, VA Art Designs & Frame Designs Gallery, Display of Artwork by Invitation 1995 1998 |
| 1999 |
Fredericksburg, VA Art First Gallery & Studios, Display of Artwork in Monthly Shows from 1997 - 1999. Featured Artist, January 1997 and May 1998 |
| Jul 2002 |
James Madison University, Sawhill Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA 20 Years at Orkney Exhibit, Invitational Art Show |
| 2003 |
Alvin Community College Art Gallery, Texas City, TX National Society of Artists 21st National Juried Show, Donny Hickmott - Juror, Awarded Two Honorable Mentions for Finishing Touch and Rough Life |
| 2003 |
Laredo, TX Laredo Center for the Arts 11th Annual International Juried Exhibition, Sponsored by Michelob Light, Carol H. Fairlie - Juror |
| May 2004 |
Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA Inaugural Virginia Equine Artists Fall Exhibition 2004, Eve Fout - Juror, Awarded First Place in Watercolor for Oatlands Start |
| Apr 2005 |
McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA Twenty-Sixth Virginia Watercolor Society Jurored Exhibition, Carole Barnes - Juror |
| Oct 2005 |
The Atrium Gallery, Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg, VA Equine Shapes & Other Recent Work - Solo Exhibition |
Reviews and Press
| 11/07/03 |
The Chronicle of the Horse Featured Cover Artist - "Patience" |
| 04/03/2006 |
The Freelance Star Stafford Artists Draw Inspiration From Horses - Pony up the Creativity |
Robyn's Favorites
| Robyn's Latest Website: Portfolio, Blog, Event Pictures, Videos! |
| Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation |
| Robyn's Online Artwork Gift Shop |
