Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Jaenke.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in the Jefferson neighborhood on Cleveland’s west side in the 1980s. During that time, the streets were teeming with kids my age. Looking back, it feels like a mythical place filled with feral children. I found my tribe among a group of kids who shared my passion for skateboarding, as well as a love for heavy metal, hip-hop, and punk music. It was a time when culture was passed around through tangible things like records, cassettes, magazines, skateboard designs, and t-shirts. The visual language of those subcultures heavily influenced my artistic journey. It was around then that I also fell in love with graffiti art, spending hours scouring the neighborhood’s alleys and railroad tracks to look for inspiration. There was something captivating and enigmatic about it all. Who were these artists? I was captivated—there was no form of expression that spoke to me quite like the art adorning public walls. Fast forward a few decades, and I’m still chasing that same passion for public expression.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Lacking the financial resources to pursue a career in art, I had to work to support myself and couldn’t afford to attend art school. My transition into young adulthood was starkly different from the present day—the internet was in its infancy, I had no connections to the art world, and I simply did not know how I could make art for a living. Opportunities were scarce. Nevertheless, creating art was my sole desire, so I persisted.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in designing and painting murals, which has been my main focus. However, in the past couple of years, I’ve managed to secure a studio space, allowing me to delve more into creating studio art alongside my mural work. My style leans towards a flat, graphic, semi-abstract approach, drawing inspiration from various sources such as the hard-edge abstract painters from the mid-20th century, graffiti art, and sign painting. I am entirely self-taught, honing my skills through personal exploration and experimentation. Each mural project presents its own unique challenges, keeping the process fresh and exciting. While I do utilize digital tools in my design process, my heart truly lies in painting directly onto walls. There’s an unparalleled satisfaction in applying paint freehand with a brush onto a century-old wall and witnessing the mural come to life right before my eyes.
What matters most to you? Why?
Creativity. Compassion. Open-mindedness. Self-awareness. Hard work. Curiosity. Wanderlust. Everyone. Everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ryanjaenke.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/ryanjaenke1
Image Credits
Corey Snipes
