Wherever Ryan Henry Ward parks his paint splattered Volvo and lets out his paint splattered dog, Merlin, something colorful is about to happen. Ryan makesSeattle a happier, more colorful place to live.
"I guess my goal when I started this whole project was to do 50 murals in Seattle.. (For) Some insane reason I'm sticking to it."
(Note: At the time of this re-air Ryan has completed over 140 murals in the Seattle area.)
In another life Ryan taught school and did social work, but, in 2000 his older brother suddenly died and Ryan has been on a different kind of journey ever since. Healing himself by cheering up everyone else.
"I just feel his energy in my body. It's almost unnatural for me to have this much energy."
Ryan's goal to paint 50 murals began with a mural of toothy toucan in an alleyway in Fremont that he painted in exchange for beer. That doesn't happen anymore, and along the way he found his calling. What is calling Ryan? Walls.
" I just saw this wall sticking out and I pulled in and I was like "Can I paint a mural on your guys' wall? It cheers people up... I can't really ask for more than that you know?"
Families have commissioned Ryan to paint murals, which sounds like a good idea, but not everybody has been happy with the results.
"I got permission to paint whatever I wanted on the wall and let them know I was going to do a Sasquatch and the idea of what the Sasquatch was going to do didn't come until later."
The neighbors hate "Ripple Effect".
"I like public reaction actually, even if it's negative. I think it's funny and I kind of get a kick out of it ... I don't really take myself or my artwork too seriously, and a lot of the time I don't like it either. So yeah, I can relate."
This is all part of Ryan's journey... even with his brother's energy and guidance he's not sure where he's going with all this.. but what Ryan's leaving behind will be treasured for years to come.
"If you can use your imagination, you can imagine a better world. I think you kinda have to imagine a better world before a better world can happen."
New Henry Mural: Buffalo Industries [LINK]
Want to own a Henry?
- Way Station Cafe: 4001 Leary Ave NW
- Monster Art & Clothing:5000 20th Ave NW
- Online at 1201 Industries: http://www.1201industries.com who donates 20% profits to charitable causes
- Ryan Henry Ward is represented by Artifact Gallery: 313 First Ave S, Suite B Seattle, Washington 98104
