No More Sable Brushes for Ryan

[Caution: opinion and strong subject follows]
This is the first of a series of blog posts in which I will be sharing a few things about what has become a very important part of who I am as a person and as an artist. I feel that my beliefs could be helpful and eye-opening for others who are curious and want to be informed. My intent is just to share who I am and hopefully inspire.

- Read the rest of No More Sable Brushes for Ryan.

No More Sable Brushes for Ryan

[Caution: opinion and strong subject follows]
This is the first of a series of blog posts in which I will be sharing a few things about what has become a very important part of who I am as a person and as an artist. I feel that my beliefs could be helpful and eye-opening for others who are curious and want to be informed. My intent is just to share who I am and hopefully inspire.

- Read the rest of No More Sable Brushes for Ryan.

Diary of a Wimpy GIRL

For those of you curious about the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" buzz with the hype of the new movie out this week, I wanted to turn your attention to my very dear friend Ruth McNally Barshaw's "Ellie McDoodle" series.

- Read the rest of Diary of a Wimpy GIRL.

Michigan Reading Association 2010

So this year's MRA conference was a success. Boy, am I tired. I arrived early on Saturday to drop off inventory to the booksellers, and then prepared for my first session on "Visual Literacy: Understanding Comics" to discover the lamp on my projector had burned out! Oh no...

- Read the rest of Michigan Reading Association 2010.

Understanding CC and BCC

(Ryan’s SMM Technology Tuesday topic)

Beside my love of illustration, a big part of my career is also helping others better use technology to market themselves with Social Media Marketing (SMM). It’s a passion of mine. So is having strong opinions. Join me every Tuesday for technology tips. Today I am beginning with what seems like a simple thing. So simple, most people overlook it and FAIL big time. How to send email properly!

- Read the rest of Understanding CC and BCC.

Schedule for March

I will be presenting at the semi-anual Student Teacher Fire-Up at Grand Valley State University on Creativity in Education. Then I will be presenting several author sessions at Michigan Reading Association's annual conference, and assisting Barry Lane with his "Literary Caberet".

After that, I am taking a little break...to move! My wife and I bought our dream home nestled in a private wooded setting - the perfect spot to foster creativity. We are keeping my current house and are making it available to rent :-) The other great news along with this move, there is a perfect little spot on the property that I am most looking forward to the construction of Hipphop Studio - hopefully breaking ground sometime in 2010! Having an actual studio is something that I have always wanted and dreamed of, and now that "someday" is even closer! We are very excited about moving to our new property!

I have a few hot projects in the hopper. 2010 is going to be exciting. Thanks for your continued fandom.

Ryan Interviewed on Barnaby & Friends

Check out Ryan on 'Barnaby & Friends' tomorrow (Friday, January 8, 2010) at 7:30 on 95.7FM Grand Rapids.

I will be continuing the discussion we started of "What Grand Rapids Needs?" (#GRneeds) as seen on Rapid Growth, the Grand Rapids Press, Business Review West Michigan, and where it all started - Twitter.

Check it out and call in!!!

Friday, 7:30 am

*EDIT*

Here's the podcast!

http://grcomics.reidsrow.com/media/What_Does_Grand_Rapids_Need.mp3 (also at: http://bit.ly/7GkOdW )

Ryan Interviewed on Rapid Growth Media

Check out this awesome article about mad-ups to Grand Rapids

Rapid Gowth: What #GRneeds

Pretty awesome.

Ryan's ArtPrize: Return to the Museum

Newsflash: Ryan's ArtPrize now a (semi)permanent exhibit at Grand Rapids Public Museum

If you missed your chance to see my ArtPrize work back in October at Grand Rapids Public Museum, now is your chance to view the work a second time around! As of yesterday, my six (6) museum-themed pieces are now on display in the Museum Cafe' for all museum visitors to enjoy!

I am very excited for the opportunity to partner with such a great organization, and am honored they are retaining the work for their permanent collection.

Calendar change

My show this weekend at Hackley library is changing - the show begins at 3:00pm, not noon.