“The sensory fragments of memory intrude into the present, where they are literally relived." – Bessel Van Der Kolk

Ryan is originally from LaCrosse, WI and received his Bachelor’s in Art and minor in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.  He received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as his Master in Education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.  Ryan works in a variety of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional mediums as well as using man made, mass produced objects.  Diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic at the age of 7, the fusion of physical, psychological, spiritual, and religious themes are important elements of his art as someone living with a chronic illness.  Ryan’s professional teaching experience includes collegiate, high school, middle school, and elementary levels along with working with students with a wide range of significant disabilities.

In the Artist’s Words:

In art school many years ago, someone told me that he thought my art was therapeutic for me. I took offense to that comment then, but now I embrace it. Recognizable and/or unrecognizable objects correlated to experiences can be visual interpretations of developmental psychopathology theories.  Or, for that matter, alexithymia (having the difficulty articulating emotions but doing so visually). These experiences are reassembled into new packages. Repetition, daily, hourly rituals bleed themselves into the process, sometimes not being cognizant of it. The process of making my personal work, assisting others in the creation of their art, and the automaticity and existential elements of those things I embrace.  Words expressed that you rejected years ago can reverberate in your current reality.

“The sensory fragments of memory intrude into the present, where they are literally relived."

– Bessel Van Der Kolk

"My Atrial Fibrillation (Circadian Rhythm)"-Echocardiogram Audio Recorded in 2002