Liam Ryan’s artistic journey spans Dublin, Detroit, Coventry, England, and New York, shaping a dynamic and evolving creative voice. Born in Dublin and raised near Detroit, he discovered his passion for art at twelve through a picture book on the Sistine Chapel, sparking a lifelong habit of carrying a sketchbook to capture his surroundings. Art quietly influenced him at home, where his father sketched for pleasure, blending everyday life with creativity and inspiring Ryan’s own ambitions.
He studied commercial illustration at Ferris State University and the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit and refined his craft through workshops with renowned painter and master pastelist Daniel E. Greene. Ryan devoted countless hours to studying masters of the past. After working briefly as a commercial illustrator in Detroit and New York, he explored music as a singer-songwriter but soon returned to visual art, dedicating himself to fine art portraiture and still life painting.
Ryan sees portraiture as capturing the essence of individuality, focusing on working from life to bring authenticity and subtlety, rather than relying on photographs. His technique reflects a synthesis of influences including Da Vinci, Sargent, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Lucian Freud, and his mentor Daniel E. Greene. He believes true uniqueness arises naturally through direct observation, and finds deep satisfaction in creating portraits that resonate emotionally with sitters and their loved ones.
His work has been featured on major online platforms like Saatchi Art and Fine Art America, and in The Irish Arts Review. Notable collectors include the Catholic Church and First Active Bank Ireland. Ryan is active in the South Birmingham Artists Association, fostering community and dialogue around portraiture today.
Outside the studio, he is an avid classical guitarist, reader, and spiritual seeker, interests that inform his thoughtful approach to painting. For Ryan, art honors the dignity and diversity of people from all walks of life and serves as a unifying, beautifying force in society. His portraits and still lifes are more than representations; they are living documents, silent conversations across time and soul.
His work focuses mainly on painting and drawing portraits and still lifes using pastels, emphasizing the challenge and connection of observing sitters and subjects live. While occasionally using reference photos when necessary, he prefers dark backgrounds inspired by Rembrandt and Sargent to enhance depth and presence. Selecting subjects carefully, Ryan seeks those who offer compelling stories, aiming to reveal both likeness and deeper character in each piece.
Guided early on by Daniel E. Greene, Ryan’s disciplined technique balances tradition and personal expression. Through careful observation and respect for the complexity of portraiture and still life, he strives to capture not just appearance but the spirit of his subjects in works that resonate with viewers.
