Carolyn Ryan - Thousand Oaks, CA

1. What do you call yourself - art wise?  Mixed media artist
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I turn out my studio lights, light two candles, and look through favorite art books such as The German Expressionists, Kathe Kollwitz woodcut artist, and California Painters.
 3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I would put more of my pieces on my walls, give a gift occasionally to a friend, and donate significant pieces to nonprofit offices.
 4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Yes, but I sit down in my studio and sketch/watercolor several ideas at once instead of stopping to sketch during the day.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? I currently have a piece, “Summer Peach Dreams” at The Gateway Center for the Arts, DeBray, FL, in the Volusia Wrapped in Fiber SAQA exhibit. I also have two woodcuts in the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, Newbury Park, CA open juried show.
6. Do you teach? where? I teach my mono printing and woodcut techniques informally, but have not taught art classes.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Kathe Kollwitz, a German painter, printmaker, and sculptor (1867-1945), created artwork that consistently explored raw emotion and pathos. She gave voice to thousands of the struggling poor in Europe through mass printings of her dynamic woodcuts.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I have a five-year plan which includes submitting work to Visions, continuing to enter out-of-state exhibits and fine art gallery shows, and having a solo show.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I now have two funky studios: Indoors, I sew and sketch in my upstairs magic kingdom, and in my outdoor studio I do painting and mono printing and other fun, messy stuff.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Janome sewing machine, sharp-point scissors and digital camera.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? The longing for visual substantiation of my inner theater.
12. How do you balance your life? I’ve spent so many years “balancing” that I now strive for creative chaos. I am most energized when I allow daily time for family, friends, personal reflection and artwork.

http://www.carolynryanart.com/