INTERVIEW with RYAN BROWN
LOCATION: Springville, Utah
CAREER: Fine Artist/Director at the Center for Academic Study & Naturalist Painting
EDUCATION: BFA in illustration from Brigham Young University and Florence Academy of Art
LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I was an All-American Water Polo champion
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WHEN WAS THE MOMENT YOU KNEW YOU WANTED TO BE A PAINTER?
This occurred while I was copying a Burton Silverman painting in the BYU Museum.
WHAT IS YOUR STYLE OF PAINTING?
I don’t give one thought to style. I have no idea what my paintings look like to other people.
DID YOU HAVE A MENTOR OR SOMEONE YOU LOOKED UP TO?
William Whitaker was one of my great mentors early on. Now I have a lot of great friends who are awesome painters that keep me inspired.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I like the process of understanding. I think my greatest works are those where I really understood my subject and how to describe it.
WHAT IS THE LARGEST HURDLE IN THE ARTS YOU HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME?
Money... No question.
WHAT IS A GOAL YET TO BE ACHIEVED?
There are a lot. I’ll simplify it... to move to Paris, build the school of my dreams and be able to afford to paint anything I want whenever I want.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM PAINTING?
Discipline and the pursuit of perfection.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU PROVIDE TO ANYONE ASPIRING TO PAINT PROFESSIONALLY?
Take the time to train properly. Sacrifice what you must, but be honest and fair with yourself when learning. Take as much time as you need to understand the principles so you can ultimately unlock your greatest potential.
DO YOU HAVE A BOOK OR DVD THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND?
The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed, Pictorial Composition by Henry Rankin Poore, The Academy and 19th Century Painting by Albert Boime, Life and Work of Edwin Austin Abbey by E. V. Lucas….for starters.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PAINTER?
There’s too many. How about Waterhouse, Bonnat, L’Hermitte, Dupre, Bargue, Favretto, Nono, Monsted, Shishkin and Repin.
WE HAVE TO ASK... WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NEW WAVE PALETTE?I love the
Grand View. It is the most well balanced palette I have ever used. I can hold it for hours without being aware of it. It has plenty of space to mix as many pools of paint as I need. It might be the perfect palette.
-Ryan Brown
