March 2009

This week I’m kicking off a series on my favorite male artists.  I recently hung 3 pieces of CD Ryan’s in my livingroom. Here’s a little interview with the amazing Portland, Maine-based graphic artist, daydreamer, pseudo-scientist, wanna-be astronaut and untrained intellectual who tends to find inspiration in pretty much anything… especially music, the universe, the human condition and natural phenomena, Christopher David Ryan. Also check out, Atmostheory and Hello Sleepyhead. Now for the interview:

When you were a kid what were your artistic inspirations?

There were a few years in my childhood when drawing comics was my dream.  By the time I reached junior high I was convinced that I would be an architect.  I would design modern homes, be handsome, wear suits, have a lovely family wife, kids, home, car, etc… and I would be adored by the masses as well as my colleagues for opening the worlds eyes to my profound discipline.  Keep in mind this whole time I really wasn’t into architecture.  I knew little about it besides the obvious… but I knew I liked using rulers and mechanical pencils.  In my career currently, I feel like I can see the comic artist and the architect inside me working in a partnership.

What are your main inspirations now?

My inspirations now are less obvious to me.  I used to be overly focused on “this is what I’m into… this style, etc… and so that is what will be my inspiration”.  In the past few years I feel like I have yet go of that and just let my senses wonder.  I still find inspiration in all of the artist, designers and musicians that I’ve always loved, but now I’m starting to just catch little things as they pass through my mind… a word, a sentence, a misunderstood song lyric, a reflection, things I don’t understand, the human condition, etc.

What has been your favorite project to date?

My “Sleepyheads” brand is without a doubt my favorite thing without a doubt.  If I had to chose one thing to devote my career to, it would be Sleepyheads.  It just means a lot to me.  It comes from a very personal place.

What would your dream project be?

Creative Director, NASA

Besides paper what other surface would you most like to see your work printed on?

Air.  I suppose that’s not a surface is it?  We’ll let science decide.

Favorite artist of all time?

Of all time?  That’s a tough one.  It’s constantly changing for me… so it’s hard for me to say.  However, I will tell you that as I write this, I am fascinated by Charles Schultz.  As an adult, I see Peanuts in a completely different light.

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Thanks so much for stopping by Maquette dear Christopher!!! I love your work so much. Hope you do too readers.