Today we’d like to introduce you to Ash Ryan.
Hi Ash, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a muralist who specializes in realism through a saturated, vivid color lens by using high-quality spray paint. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and have been creating artwork throughout the years in a wide array of mediums such as acrylic and oil painting, graphite drawings, embroidery, tattooing, printmaking, and floral design. But large-scale muralism is definitely my true calling and favorite art form.
My journey as a muralist came to fruition after losing my floral design job due to the pandemic. I started painting pieces on graffiti walls and received recognition, which led to mural inquiries. My work gained notoriety and was featured in Variety Magazine, Fox News, and Philadelphia Magazine as well as various publications worldwide. Two years later I am getting commissioned by large clients like Grocery Outlet and Target.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The path to becoming a muralist was circuitous and arduous because of a tick bite I received when I was 19. I was at Weber State University working on my art degree and was hoping to continue my education at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts as well as join Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program, but was suddenly incapacitated for unknown reasons. My health declined rapidly and after seeing over twenty different doctors I finally got diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease at the age of 22.
I had to put my dreams on the back burner due to the severity of the symptoms (tremors, vertigo, pain, fatigue, and brain fog) and focus on getting into remission through the help of LLMDs (Lyme Literate Doctors). During my years of treatment, I became a floral designer in Pinellas County as well as a henna tattoo artist in Clearwater Beach. I got into remission in 2019 and moved to Philadelphia but then lost my job as a floral designer because of the pandemic.
This ignited the fire to finally pursue what I truly wanted to do in life. Some feel my career took off instantaneously—but I believe the universe was propelling me forward to rectify the time I lost during my illness.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for my realistic yet colorful portraits but recently started adding birds, insects, and flowers to my portfolio. Most of my murals were distinctly painted in a blue and purple color palette but I am currently experimenting with a variety of color palettes.
I am proud of how quickly my portfolio has grown and how I paint different types of imagery instead of being confined to stylization and painting the same mural over and over. I paint my murals freehand and without any assistance. Not so long ago muralism (especially with spray paint) was a male dominated field but now more and more women are becoming muralists and working with spray paint.
What’s next?
Currently, most of my work is in Philadelphia with a few murals in Florida so my goal for this year is to have more murals throughout the United States and soon in other countries. I hope to catch the attention of larger clients and brands, paint larger walls, and to continue to have creative freedom.
Pricing:
- $10-20 per sqft based on the size of the wall and imagery.
Contact Info:
- Website: AshEyeArt.com
- Instagram: @AshEyeArt
- Facebook: @AshEyeArt
- Twitter: @AshEyeArt
Image Credits
Colin Leiby
