Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Semple.
Ryan, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Circa 2008, I was a Freshman in high school, and a buddy of mine was pushing me to take a drawing course as an elective for Sophomore year. He was hoping we’d get in the same class together and it would make for an easy A. I took his advice, and I ended up finding a lot of satisfaction for drawing that year. I loved it so much that I began making art at home and ALL my school notes through high school were covered in sketches. I eventually took a stab at painting during my senior year and found a lot of peace in working with paint. The summer after graduation I participated in my first exhibit as a youth artist through Orlando’s CityArts Factory. I only felt comfortable enough to showcase because there were a couple of other artists I knew from my school’s art class. This was my first real exposure to the art scene in Orlando. Not long after I started college, I became less interested in creating because it wasn’t seen in society’s eyes as a ‘practical’ route as a career. I felt pushed out by social pressure and expectations; at this point, I had given up on showcasing work publicly.
For some time I struggled with what my life would become and how I was living it. After earning my AA degree, I came to the realization that school just was not going to provide me with what I wanted out of life and that the answer was hidden elsewhere. Life proceeded, and I continued to wander aimlessly. I wasn’t really sure how to find what it is I wanted out of life, and there really wasn’t any guidance on how to make it happen. I worked full-time for some years at a job that I didn’t love because I thought that’s what adults do and I just need to stick it out. I was slowly killing myself and all the motivation I had to exist. There was a lack of stimulation, and I knew I wanted more from life. What I was looking for wasn’t in that job. During this time I hadn’t completely abandoned creating, the paintings were far, and few in between and I managed to squeeze some sketching in. If it weren’t for all those creative spurts after work where I did have the energy, I’m not sure where I would be today. Art saved my life during this dark period.
Since my day job was not fulfilling me internally and it wasn’t having an impact on the community around me I began to question even more what I wanted most. Along my journey, I met a wonderful human being named Samantha Shumaker. She was a local artist and was pursuing art full-time. We met at a CityArts Factory showcase in 2016, and we both had work on display in the same room that night. Watching Samatha’s growth and attending every event of hers brought me excitement. As our relationship blossomed, I felt more inspired every day to make that leap of faith to follow in her footsteps. I thank her so much for opening my eyes to a pathway I never thought was an option. It wasn’t long after our initial encounter that I began to create more and realized that creation is what brings me the fulfillment I was looking for.
Creating has now become my way of standing against apathy. Creating is so much more than an outlet for me now; it is a mode of communication that allows me to form meaningful relationships with the people around me.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My work is heavily influenced by cartoons, video games, skateboard culture, and street art. The genre I could best place my work under would be something like ‘urban contemporary’ My work focuses primarily around elements of design; I strive to make my work visually appealing above all other variables. My recent passion for my work has been working with wood. It’s an organic medium, and it’s not something a lot of artists use in their own work, so having that as an additional layer to the work is a bonus. With wood, I can cut and manipulate it to my liking and even glue layers of wood together to make something that resonates closely to a pop-up book character. Working with wood pushes me to consider factors of a three-dimensional subject and has helped translate into my illustrations. Fusing my previous elements of design with elements that can be found in more traditional work has elevated my approach as of lately. I primarily work with acrylic paint but I’ve taken a liking to digital medium as of lately, and I’m aiming to expand my knowledge in that realm and make some sweet illustrations!
As for a message… I really don’t really try to put any deeper meaning behind it all because I like leaving interpretation up to the viewer. Aside from just wanting to create ‘eye candy’ for the spectator, I want my work to inspire people from within. I want my work to move people and think about who they’re becoming, rather than what they have. We should all push ourselves and pursue something for the greater good.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Artists have a HUGE double-edged sword right now, and that is social media. It’s amazing to have as a resource. It can serve as an online gallery/portfolio that ANYBODY in the world can view and its all at the reach of our fingertips. It’s pretty incredible if you think about it, we’re more fortunate than upcoming artists even 20 years ago. I’m so incredibly grateful to have such a resource that provides me with a way to connect to people outside of my scope. Sadly though, it comes at a cost, of course, and that is self-worth. Social media is set up as a system based on ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ We tend to associate our own personal success as artists based on the number of likes we get. It can be really painful when we post something that we are really proud of, and it doesn’t receive the same reception we expected. Sometimes I wonder how many people choose not to pursue their passion for art because social media ruined it for them. Or think about how much influence social media reception can have on an artist. The thing you loved making gets the least amount of likes, yet the sketch or doodle you made far exceeds finished products. We are only human, and it’s easy to get sucked into creating the things that do the best amongst our peers. Not only does the number game hurt us but social media is one huge highlight reel. You’re CONSTANTLY seeing people’s best version of their work and their lifestyle. It can be a bit unnerving to always see other’s successes because it’s just not the reality of being an artist or even a human being for that matter. There is so much trial and error in life. If people were more willing to share that side of themselves on social media, I believe it could be somewhat of a less toxic resource.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Right now I post most of my work on Instagram and my official Facebook artist page. I prefer Instagram since I can create fun stories or highlights for people to get a more personal approach to my work and the steps I take to get to the final product. I don’t have a website up as of right now, but I am currently building some inventory so I can have that ready for launch later this year! As for supporting me, I generally showcase in Orlando and promote through the social media accounts mentioned previously so if you’re in Orlando or even passing through I’d love to have you come out to one of the events and say hey! I enjoy meeting new folks and would love to hear what motivates you. You can give me a follow on Instagram or my Facebook page and stay up to date with work I have available, or if you’re interested in commissions, I do those too.
Instagram: @ry.semp
Facebook page name: Art of Ryan Semple
Link: facebook.com/ryansempleartwork
Contact Info:
- Phone: (407) 276-2592
- Email: rsemple93@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ry.semp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryansempleartwork/
Image Credit:
Ryan Semple & Samantha Shumaker
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