Posted by Curry S. on Jan 24th 2020
Featured Artist: Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams is a painter and muralist residing in his hometown of Portland, Maine. You can see his work displayed throughout the city, including the incredible mural outside of our store in Portland! Keep reading to learn more about where Ryan finds inspiration, his advice for young artists and more!
Name: Ryan Adams
Location: Portland, Maine
Website: ryanwritesonthings.com
Favorite Product at A&C: Montana Spray Paint
Ryan Adams | 2017 | Artist & Craftsman Supply | Portland, ME | Spray Paint
Artist & Craftsman Supply: Who are you and what do you do?
Ryan Adams: My name is Ryan Adams and I am a painter, muralist, dad, husband, lover of luxurious meals and all around multi-tasker.
A&C: What drew you to art initially?
RA: There was no specific moment that I can pinpoint. I’ve always drawn for as long as I can remember. I guess one pivotal moment was when I received my first copy of ‘Subway Art’ in 5th grade. That sparked the love for spray paint and letters that is still strong 20+ years later.
Left: Ryan Adams | 2017 | You Got This | Gouache on Illustration Board
Middle: Ryan Adams | 2016 | Stay in the Lines | Gouache on Illustration Board
Right: Ryan Adams | 2017 | You Love You | Gouache on Illustration Board
A&C: Did you go to school for art/what is your background?
RA: I took random courses while growing up, but I majored in Clinical Psych in college (lol). Not much formal training outside of that. My training came from obsessing over letters and color theory. Through that, I ended up studying a lot on my own time and developing through trial and error.
A&C: Do you have a favorite artist/piece of art?
RA: I have so many favorites; it’s hard to pick one. The ‘Children of the Grave pt. 2’ wholecar by Dondi White stands out to me though. It is pretty much a perfectly balanced piece, in color and style. To think that it was painted with industrial grade spray paint in a dark and potentially hazardous environment, while under some serious pressure, makes it even that much more impressive.
DONDI | 1980 | Children of the Grave Part Two
A&C: What is your go-to album/artist right now in the studio?
RA: This varies depending on my mood, but ‘Until the Quiet Comes’ by Flying Lotus is a constant.
A&C: What do you like most about Artist & Craftsman Supply & what’s one thing you can’t leave an art store without buying?
RA: A&C has been my local art store since I was a kid. One of the many reasons it was such an honor to paint the new mural outside of the Portland store. I feel like it’s a second home at this point. I am in there at least once a week, and when I walk in, whoever is at the front pretty much knows that I am headed straight to the Montana cage.
A&C: How has your practice changed over time?
RA: I used to kind of wait until creative spark or wave would come over me to really hit the studio/books. Nowadays, with a little one running around, I have to really take advantage of any free second that I have to create. It’s much more regimented, but just as much fun and rewarding.
Ryan Adams | 2016 | Keep a Full Plate; Always Stay Hungry | Standard Gastropub | Bridgeton, ME | Spray Paint
A&C: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given (not necessarily art related)? What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
RA: Best piece of advice given to me (art related) – No one is going to hold your hand, you just have to get out there and do what you want when you want. Advice to younger artists - Trends come and go. Be yourself. It’s way more fun. Also, you can’t directly exchange social media likes for dollars, but you can directly exchange dollars for lobster.
A&C: What is your favorite place to visit where you live?
RA: My favorite place to visit is definitely my bed. I don’t get there nearly as much as I’d like. #2019goals.
To learn more about Ryan and to view his full portfolio, head over to his website. Ryan is also part of the creative team at Better Letter Hand Painted Signs. Their work can be viewed in a number of establishments in Portland, Maine and beyond!