A self- described "poetic realist", Ryan is especially inspired by what he observes around him. Primarily working with oils and pastels, he is fascinated by the relationship formed between colors. His bold pieces are painted on specially prepared aluminum panels or linen. His lifelong exploration of self through yoga and meditation, as well as the introduction to mindfulness through the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn in the early ‘90’s, was instrumental in expanding his early love for Rembrandt, Hals, Manet and Degas to the artists Pierre Bonnard, Nicolas de Staël, Henri Matisse, Wolf Kahn and Joan Mitchell.