“Pathways & Precipices” An Artist’s Return to Awe & Wonder by Robyn Ryan
Exhibit dates: March 21 – April 28, 2024
Artist Reception: Saturday, April 6, 6-8 pm
(9419 Battle St, Manassas, Free & open to the public)
Artist Talk: Saturday, April 13, 2-4 pm
(9419 Battle St, Manassas, Free & open to the public)
Artist Demonstration: Saturday, April 20, 2-4 pm
(9419 Battle St, Manassas, Free & open to the public)
“Pathways & Precipices”
An Artist’s Return to Awe and Wonder
Robyn Ryan recently completed a month-long Artist Residency at Bandelier National Monument, in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Residency was an amazing opportunity for the artist to focus on both artistic and personal growth, living alone in the canyon and making art in a vastly different location from her normal environment. Robyn initiated over 25 pieces of artwork in New Mexico and nurtured an array of additional ideas to expand into this new body of work titled “Pathways & Precipices”.
In addition to recording her encounters with the diverse landscapes, cultural history, and wildlife of Bandelier National Monument, the artwork in this exhibition was inspired by the adventure and challenges she faced and celebrates the victories of overcoming fears and stepping into new things courageously. The “Pathways & Precipices” artwork highlights Robyn’s personal and artistic journeys moving from simple observation, to exploration and discovery of new environments, to considering the lasting impacts on herself and her artwork. The artwork was created using water-based media (Watercolor, Gouache, Acrylics) and mixed media (Collage and Robyn’s unique “Acrylic Layers” technique).
The exhibit is arranged to guide you through Robyn’s journey to share in the experiences and adventure of discovery and growth through her art. The artist’s intention is for you to leave inspired to explore and seek new vistas yourselves; for you to find and nourish your own adventurer and inner child again; to reclaim your own sense of awe and wonder of the amazing creation we live in.
About the Artist
Nature, wildlife, and exploring their beauty through art is a labor of love for Robyn. A creative “maker” since childhood, she has created commissioned pieces in college and enjoyed working with artists she has admired over the years. Beyond exhibitions and artwork sales, Robyn was blessed to create artistically, give public demonstrations, and teach art, all while working full-time as a civilian for the US Navy. She recently retired after 31+ years of Federal Service and is now able to pursue her artistic endeavors full-time.
Robyn enjoys teaching art workshops including watercolor, mixed media, and her own “Acrylic Layers” technique with the focus of clear building blocks, instilling confidence, and having fun!
Robyn is currently active with several local/regional art groups and venues including Libertytown Artists Workshop in Fredericksburg VA, the Loudoun Sketch Club, the North Windsor Artists from King George VA, the Virginia Equine Artist Association, and The Artist’s in Middleburg. Her artwork is in numerous private collections, and she exhibits regularly in juried exhibitions and featured solo exhibitions. Robyn’s work is also represented by Jenuinely Jeni Gallery at the esteemed Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.