Ryan McDonnell  recently moved to Northampton from Seattle, Washington where he lived in the woods. He studied art in his hometown high school in Marlboro, Massachusetts where he distinguished himself as a very original creative spirit with great energy and verve. Additional to visual artwork, Ryan invents musical instruments, composes and records experimental music, and makes short expressionistic films. Notably, his collaboration with Jazz violinist and vocalist, Terry Jenoure resulted in a short evocative film that he has self-published.

His work is informed by contemporary painting, vintage music and independent film. Jean-Michel Basquiat is an influence on his painting style for instance. He has an extensive collection of LP vinyl recordings, too, and I particularly remember one afternoon listening to a recording of chain gang songs, which had a rawness and honesty that could find its way into his musical choices. His studio output is prodigious.

His work is as congenially engaging as his personality. On coming to Northampton he first brought his painting to the Happy Valley gallery on Main Street in Northampton, but his work quickly found other venues. In 2007, additional to a one-man exhibit at the AHOA, he had a fall exhibit at A.P.E. galley in Northampton and then a December exhibit at the Augusta Savage gallery at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He was included in a select group artists to be honored with a cash award and an exhibit with VSA in DRIVEN an exhibit sponsored by Volkswagen and held at the Smithsonian Institute in January 2008.

McDonnell says of his process, “Art is always exploring and learning about nature and oneself. The way one learns is an art form in itself—the use and application of knowledge.”