We were lucky to catch up with Ryanne Phillips recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ryanne , so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.
I honed my ability to communicate effectively by prioritizing truthfulness and authenticity in my work. My drawings serve as autobiographical reflections of the human experience, drawing inspiration from my own thoughts, emotions, and experiences. While I don’t use self-portraiture, many of my pieces are deeply personal reflections of my inner world. My goal is to create artwork that not only excites me but also resonates with my authenticity and passion.
At the core of my artistic vision is the exploration of beauty, which I pursue through my drawings. I aim to portray women and elements of nature in visually captivating ways, while also conveying the underlying narrative and motivation behind each piece. As a female artist, I seek to showcase a sensuous and empathetic aspect of female perspective. Through my art, I explore themes such as the beauty of femininity, inner strength, design, nature, and the human condition. My passion for these themes is evident in my work, making my ability to communicate more impactful and meaningful.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As I near the completion of my MFA at Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD), my brand revolves around creating a series of drawings that center on the core concept of beauty: inner strength, femininity, nature, design, and the human condition. Drawing women in biophilic relationships, who connect and embrace elements of the natural world. This series deeply resonates with me as it authentically reflects my artistic vision. Each day, as I step into my studio, I am filled with excitement and motivation. Engaging in dialogue with the women in my drawings and breathing life into them is a palpable experience. This passion propels me to explore the personal and captivating aspects of my work, forming profound and empathetic connections with viewers.
Another integral aspect of my brand is my commitment to building a community of figurative artists in Orange County (OC). Alongside my dedicated friends and artistic colleagues, Rachel Chang and Brooke Hunter, I oversee Studio 10, an art space in OC. Studio 10 has become an invaluable environment for me to cultivate and refine my ideas, pushing the boundaries of my creativity and artistic expression. Within this nurturing space, we not only focus on our individual bodies of work but also host uninstructed (and someday soon instructed) figure drawing workshops. These workshops serve as a platform for honing our life drawing and painting skills while fostering a vibrant community of figurative artists.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have an insatiable interest and fascination with art history—I’m a self-professed art history dork. I’m often found convincing friends and family to join me on museum visits to places like the Norton Simon and the Getty Museum. My collection of art books is extensive, with volumes by renowned artists such as John Singer Sargent, Alphonnse Mucha, Giovanni Boldini, and George Bridgeman.
Beyond drawing, I possess a curiosity about other artistic mediums. I actively seek to expand my knowledge and skills beyond drawing, exploring mediums such as oil paint, watercolor, graphite, acrylics, and even sculpting with oil-based clay. I firmly believe that each medium is interconnected and informs the others. Drawing provides a foundation for understanding value and shape design, while oil painting and watercolor enrich one’s grasp of color theory and edge quality. Sculpture, on the other hand, deepens one’s understanding of the human form and anatomy.
Teaching has been a significant aspect of my artistic journey. Through teaching, I’ve had the opportunity to witness and understand my own areas of growth and improvement. It has challenged me to simplify complex concepts and communicate them effectively, ultimately enhancing my own understanding of art and refining my skills.
My advice for individuals embarking on their artistic journey is to remain engaged and curious. Ask as many questions as you can to your peers, teachers, or mentors. Attend art exhibitions whenever possible and try to engage in conversations with fellow attendees. If you’re naturally reserved, like myself, remember that all it takes is thirty seconds of courage to approach someone you admire or respect and ask them questions about their work or experiences.
Additionally, I highly recommend journaling and engaging in self-reflection. Take the time to ask yourself why certain subjects or themes are important to you. By spending time in the studio and interviewing yourself, you can uncover your authenticity and identify areas for improvement. Embrace this process of self-discovery and growth—it’s essential for honing your craft and developing your artistic voice. People will respond positively to work they feel is authentic.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
This is a difficult question to answer, as numerous individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping and helping me navigate my artistic journey. Among them, my mentor, James Thistlethwaite, and my advisor, Ananda Featherston, stand out prominently. Their guidance, support, and insights have been invaluable as I’ve developed my body of work throughout my MFA program. James instilled in me the habit of journaling and creating numerous thumbnails to clarify the intention behind each piece, which has been instrumental in maintaining focus and authenticity in my work. Both Ananda’s and James’s encouragement to explore and find pleasure in the design process has been transformative, allowing me to remain true to myself and the artistic vision I aspire to achieve. With their guidance, I’ve cultivated a body of work that I feel confident presenting and discussing. They have been supportive of my artistic vision and have been there when I need assistance. Their guidance has extended beyond helping me improve my artistic practice; they have also offered valuable advice on becoming an effective teacher, navigating the gallery scene, and building confidence in myself and my practice.
Additionally, I am deeply grateful to my friends, peers, and the MFA dean from LCAD who have provided unwavering support and camaraderie throughout this journey. Their constructive feedback and encouragement have played a significant role in my growth as an artist. Together, these individuals have helped shape and refine my artistic voice, and for that, I am profoundly thankful.
Contact Info:
- Website: ryannephillips.art
- Instagram: Ryanne_draws
