Eye on Art

Ryan Gardner

Pictured Right, Jewelry by Ryan Gardner Designs

Hometown: Gahanna, OH

Professional or Emerging Artist:  Professional

Style:  A contemporary exploration of stone and metal

Best Advice Ever Received:  It’s not worth the energy to get upset about a mistake. Put that energy towards fixing the problem instead. 

Favorite Music to Listen to While Creating:  anything with high energy

Favorite Artists: Michael Boyd, Tom Herman, Ted Gall, Frank Gehry

Inspirations:  The Materials, Modern Architecture, Nature

Next Big Goal: Doing art shows!

Other Passions or Hobbies: Movies, Rock Collecting, Star Wars, friends

What Themes Do you Pursue:  A playful exploration of the materials

Complete this sentence.  "Art is... the product of the creative process” – Michael Boyd

Mat Taylor

Pictured Right, Mat Taylor in front of the “Wall of Wonder” mural

Hometown: Pueblo

Professional or Emerging Artist:  Professional

Style:  Muralist, Surrealist, Illustrator

Favorite Music to Listen to While Creating: Audiobooks (non-fiction)

Best Advice Ever Received:  Pursue mastery not money.

Inspiration:  Life, drama, misery, pain, mastery, adventure, the transmutation from dark to light.

Next Big Goal: To create positive change throughout this city through art

Other Hobbies:  Bicycling.  Exploring.

What Themes Do you Pursue:   City as work of art.

Complete this sentence.  Art is... ...the amount of courage one has to allow the source to flow.

Elizabeth Raitz

Pictured Right, “Sweet Meats” by Elizabeth Raitz

Hometown: Colorado Springs

Professional or Emerging Artist:  Emerging

Style:  Disgustingly delicious

Best Advice Ever Received:  Lean into your discomfort.

Inspirations:  Marilyn Minter, Matt Barton, My Sister

Next Big Goal: To survive my first year of middle school as an art teacher.

Other Hobbies: Yoga

What Themes Do you Pursue:  I am interested in being present.

What Jobs Have You Had (Other Than an Artist): Beer Guide, Middle School Art Teacher

Complete this sentence.  Art is... ...within us.