Though a young artist, Ryan Helean has covered many miles and ventured
into many mediums in his exploration of his creative talents. Fifteen
years ago, at the age of 16, he went to New Zealand on what would be the
first of several trips to that South Pacific island.
“I’m predominantly a self-trained artist,” Ryan reports. “And the
local artists and rich Maori culture of New Zealand have been a huge influence
in the development of my own artistic interests.”
At first Ryan developed his photography skills there. In addition
to photos, he produced one-of-a-kind t-shirts that combined his photography
with his Maori-inspired designs. He later studied both photography
and drawing at Santa Fe Community College.
On a return trip to New Zealand, Ryan began to explore painting with acrylics
and sculpting in stone. Most recently, he has been studying glass
blowing and sculpture at the renowned Tesuque Glassworks just north of
Santa Fe. His one-of-a-kind glass works are now on display at both
the Tesuque Glassworks’ gallery and Kchisos Gallery at the Inn and Spa
at Loretto in downtown Santa Fe. “I plan to continue working with
glass, be it blown or cast, under the tutelage of the wonderful artists
at the Tesuque Glassworks,” says Ryan.
Ryan’s paintings have been exhibited at Java Joe’s coffee houses, Second
Street Brewery and Tropic of Capricorn gallery in Santa Fe, at the El Encon
art show in north central New Mexico and at the Paraparaumu Beach juried
exhibition in New Zealand.
Below
are some samples of Ryan's glass sculptures.
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