Wendy Ryals
Acrylic|Oil|Mixed Media
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Bio
I was born and raised in southeastern coastal Florida, fascinated by the magnificence of the crystal blue-green ocean that stretched unendingly as far as the eye could see. My childhood was spent floating over or immersed in the ocean, and I became enthralled by what I saw. The playful sparkles dancing on the surface of the water and the mysterious shadows shifting underwater both heightened my senses and expanded my emotional awareness. The water-based experiences of my youth fleshed out and influenced my informal education.
As formal education pulled me away from my natural surroundings, I walked into adulthood via well-worn traditional career paths. I filled time outside of work with travels that took me near and far, nationally and internationally. I moved across the country more than once for work, climbing a ladder that eventually led somewhere I did not want to be. As my career became less fulfilling, I turned to art making as an outlet for creative expression. Initially working in photography, I found the unnatural landscape of Pacific Northwest cities to be the inspiration for detailed examinations of graffitied buildings. The photo editing process quickly lost its appeal, as I had no desire to spend time in front of a computer screen while working creatively. I turned to more tactile forms of creative expression. Initially working in acrylic, I expanded my creative process to include oil and cold wax, encaustic and mixed media.
No matter the medium all of my work is produced without planning. I enter my studio, pick materials, and simply begin the work. Much like the spontaneous inspiration and enjoyment I felt floating through my childhood stomping grounds, my practice reflects the feeling of being free. With a foundation in simplicity and expression in abstraction the work remains a mystery until the process reveals my true self, my story.