“Ryan Robinson is a creator, and she’s strong as fuck.” When we sat down face to face, only separated by our computer screens and beginning-of-the-call-nerves, I asked Ryan a ridiculously impossible question right off the bat: Who is Ryan Robinson? But somehow in those 10 simple words, Ryan perfectly encapsulated her essence. A 24-year-old artist and social media manager residing in Austin, Texas, Ryan has played to her strengths and captivated many with her crafty work with plaster, electrifying pieces, and satisfying resin pours. She is not shy to experiment with her colors and mediums, with her paintings ranging from neon yellow to pink covered in spray paint, tape, and even LED lights. Ryan may have failed to mention that not only is she strong, but talented and creative as fuck, too.
“Art has sort of been my medicine,” she went on to share, “and my way to navigate the world.” Anyone lucky enough to view her insanely dope artwork gets a sneak peak into the unique lens that she uses to understand the universe. But, in the interview below, Ryan was generous enough to give SHEESH! readers an even more intimate look at her POV.
Sometimes, It Finds You
Growing up, Ryan was always around people who were artistically inclined. She lived in Houston with her mom, two aunts, and grandma, who were always creating. But when it came time to choose between art school and a more traditional college degree, Ryan reluctantly chose the latter. At college, she swept art under the rug as she opted for a different college experience: “I did the sorority and partying thing freshman year,” Ryan said. “And then I hit a really low point in my life, dealing with my sexuality and the struggles of college.” To relieve stress, she began painting again. And while living in the sorority house, people noticed her work and immediately knew they wanted one of their own.
“I would sell it to them for $10, just to pay for the canvas, and then it just became a chain reaction. In my first year, I made so much money that I had to file as a business with the IRS. When I say I started this business by accident, it literally was by accident. It’s almost like art found me again, or we found each other.” In what Ryan described as the darkest time in her life, art not only helped her through it, but helped her process these difficult emotions and gather her own perspective.
Anything Can Happen
Abstract art is unique in that it does not conform to one thing or essence; it isn’t concrete or physical, and it can shapeshift and transform at a moments notice. In abstract art, you can and should expect the unexpected, an important lesson Ryan takes with her everyday. “One thing I’ve learned from this world is that nothing is expected. People can surprise you. You could get a job you never thought you would. The world is crazy.”
Her fluid, colorful art reflects this message from the inside out. Not only does she define her work as somewhere between modern spunky and contemporary millennial, she also recognizes that she will never stop discovering and evolving her art. “I’m constantly changing my style of art and coming up with new ideas,” Ryan explained. Just as our lives can transform day by day, so can Ryan’s creative vision. And although we must expect the unexpected, one thing’s for sure: life will never be perfect.
Imperfections are a Guarantee
“Abstract work isn’t perfect, just like the world. And just like people, I love how abstract art can flow and stop. And there’s hard edges and imperfect drips.” This sentiment beautifully represents exactly the magic behind Ryan’s art: the way that she is able to celebrate imperfections, and see them as not just a part of our world but as a form of art that is woven craftily through people and society. Just as imperfections permeate our reality, Ryan believes them to be an important and spunky part of her abstract work.
Her creative process honors this same idea. While some artists may find comfort in tracing and outlining before grabbing the paints, Ryan opts out of traditional sketching. Instead, she lays awake at night dreaming of ideas, sketching her art solely in her head and putting complete trust in the canvas. “When I finally get my brain on paper or on a canvas it can either be a piece of shit, or it can be a masterpiece,” Ryan laughed. “Sometimes it doesn’t work out, and sometimes it does. I feel like that’s the way the world works.” Mistakes, blips, and mess-ups are not just part of the artistic process, but they are art in themselves.
Live for Yourself
Ryan Robinson is undoubtedly strong as fuck. But even the strongest of us can be guilty of living for others and following a path that is not our own. In her freshman year of college, Ryan lost and entered a dark period of her life. But once she began showing love towards herself and her passions, life turned around. “Whenever I say ‘Live for yourself,’ it feels really selfish. But I say that because at the end of the day, you’ll always have you. Do things that make you happy. We only have one life, to love. Not to live, but to love.”
For Ryan, living for herself means being an artist and being patient with herself. It also means consuming a necessary amount of her favorite vegan brownies. And finding solace in her oat milk vanilla latte. And watching one too many animated movies.
Everyone Sees the World Differently
While Ryan was kind enough to show us how she sees the world, what she loves most is that no two people see the world the same, a concept which shines through in abstract art. “Each person can interpret my work differently. For instance, I made a piece once, and one person looked at it and saw birds, while another person saw ballerinas and dancers. That’s like one of my favorite instances of how people could look at something that I made, and see something different because of who they are or where they’ve been,” Ryan told SHEESH!.
The beautiful thing about perspective is that it belongs to us. It allows us to see the universe in our own special way, and reflect our beliefs and values like a kaleidoscope onto our surroundings. For Ryan, she reflects onto her art, but what her art reflects back onto others depends on the lens each viewer is using.
For more Ryan Robinson, visit her TikTok, Instagram, and website.
