Jonathan Ryan

Year of birth: 1999.
Where do you live: I currently live in Arnprior, Located in the Ottawa Valley, Ontario Canada.
Describe your art in three words: Impressionistic, Landscapes, Wildlife.
Your discipline: Gaining inspiration on a daily basis by hiking/foraging, constructing my own gallery depth canvases weekly to create new bodies of acrylic works.
Website | Instagram

Can you tell us about your journey as an artist and how your experiences with autism have influenced your work?

I belong to a lineage of artists as many of my relatives are also creative visionaries. Throughout my growing years I recall watching my mother create her surreal oil paintings, which brought a sense of purpose and desire to follow suit. Since an early age, I’ve always been incredibly fascinated with wildlife, often finding myself staring out at landscapes during our long travels across Canadian provinces. I admired adventuring through woodlands listening to birds, fixated on identifying them with my grandmother’s old field guides, and later creating sketches of what I was able to find. When I reached the age of twenty, I began setting on a journey to further develop my skills as an artist, relocating from the capital city of Ottawa to a rural setting an hour out. I had a clear realization that my creative endeavors are deeply rooted with my connection to nature. It wasn’t until my early twenties when I realized my hyperfixations towards wildlife could be a sign for autism, which drove me to seek a deeper understanding of myself. After receiving a diagnosis, it was clear to me that my autism has had a big impact on how I live my day to day life. With art specifically, hyper focusing for long amounts of time has allowed me to disconnect from the noise around me, and complete bodies of work before embarking on a new project. My fixations with wildlife have also served as a rich source for inspiration. I came to the conclusion that my perspective in life is completely unique, deserving the chance to be displayed on a visual level.

How has traveling across Canada shaped your artistic perspective and subject matter?

From the mixed forests of Quebec, to the landscapes of the rocky mountains, I consider myself very fortunate to have traveled so much throughout my life. Even though I found it somewhat difficult to adapt when relocating to different homes, especially at an early age, I used it as an advantage to inspire myself when creating art. Moving from place to place also meant I had a harder time making friends, leaving time spent to work on creative visions rather than playing with other kids. I would look forward to driving six plus hours for family gatherings to gaze out the car window, often admiring the diverse scenery while also on the lookout for moose, deer, and other wildlife. As I grew into adulthood, I still find myself stopping at certain locations to snap photos for my next potential painting.

What message do you hope to convey to viewers through your art?

Going through hurdles in life is part of being a human, we all experience some form of struggle at some point in our lives. Personally, I’ve endured numerous mental health blocks and have managed to use art to heal myself and others who have gone through their own struggles. My paintings depict bright wildlife, places of harmony, and whimsical scenes in hopes to share my sense of escapism, to show that there can be light even in the darkest moments.

Can you tell us about a particularly meaningful piece you’ve created and the story behind it?

In April of this year (2024), I lost a close friend who unfortunately passed away in an avalanche while snowboarding in the swiss alps. To cherish our shared memories of exploring nature and abandoned places, I embarked on a new series of paintings showcasing various abandoned buildings. These sites are often overtaken by natural elements, bringing life back to a state of decay. The first painting of this series titled “Gibbs Gas” is an old gas station I had passed while driving home from my friend’s funeral. It reminded me of all our adventures together, sparking a moment of creativity during a time of grief.

Can you share any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re excited about?

I’m currently displaying my latest series of abandoned sites at the “Art Loft Gallery” in Arnprior Ontario, and excited to attend art fairs/shows throughout the Ottawa region for the rest of 2024. I’ll be continuing this current series for the foreseeable future, producing at least one new painting every week. Even though I’ve cut the production for commissions for the time being, an exception was made with a large piece sized at 5 feet by 6 feet (1.5×1.8 meters), to a local collector of previous works I’ve made. There’s an expected completion date for January 2025, which will be posted on my website portfolio and social media.

What advice would you give to other artists who are navigating their own mental health challenges?

Keep pushing, shed light onto others who may be experiencing similar struggles. Life seems to have a way of connecting us through tough times. Using an outlet such as art to express our feelings has to be one of the greatest gifts we can have. Don’t worry about what it may look like, you’ll be rewarded with a sense of relief as long as you release your energy into something you have a passion for.