Valerie Ryan Drawing with the Brush

Ryan Artist Statement
Reviewing my old sketchbooks, I discovered a comment made by one of my teacher’s that I had an energetic hand!  That comment made me laugh and encouraged me to continue working outdoors exploring the landscape. Outside, the strokes seem to both describe the form and give it colour. Outlines disappear. The brushwork is loose and almost abstract, yet it still has integrity and describe the forms. It is a balancing act that at times can be difficult out in the elements. I have been working smaller outdoors.  The smaller paintings are a good aid to working larger in the studio. In the early dark months of winter, flowers have been the subject of choice.

Ryan Bio 
Valerie Ryan completed a B.F.A (Queen’s University) and a M.F.A. (University of Saskatchewan). She attended many Emma Lake Artists workshops through the 1980’s. It was there that she felt free to paint outdoors and explore loose brushwork and colour. A practice she has continued for over 40 years. She taught at the National Gallery of Canada and the Ottawa School of Art. Her paintings are in many corporate and private collections.