ABI Graduate Paper Artist Eva Ryan Soars through Creative Mediums

Interview with ABI graduate Eva Ryan

Pictured is Eva Ryan holding her graduation certificate.

ABI Paper Artist Eva Ryan took art goers for a playful stroll through her fort-like calming exhibition this past Saturday.

Ryan is an RGV native from Brownsville. She left home to study education in California and returned to the valley after seven years.

After working several years with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, Ryan itched for an outlet. Her peers encouraged the need for the element of play since Ryan became consumed by clients and court cases.  

"I didn't have this element of play or this element of calm in my brain."

How it Started

Ryan picked up a wood carving set, sat down with a piece of printer paper, and cut away. Instantly, her brain was quiet. She described it as one of the best feelings in the world. With time, her outlet grew legs and walked themselves to the walls of local art shows.

Ryan's work gained recognition as more people suggested she take up paper art professionally. She says she laughed because she did not feel making money as an artist was plausible.

Courtesy of Papercaperco. This piece is in memory of Ryan's brother-in-law Gabriel.

Art started at a young age and was shot down at a young age. Any medium of art was good for Ryan, dabbling where she could, whether it was writing poems or drawing.

"I've always been artistically inclined, but I feel like people dissuade you from that from a young age because it's not a real job," said Ryan.

While fighting to find her way, Ryan's goal is to help artistically inclined people choose art as a profession. Teaching children showed Ryan the diversity of intelligence.

Courtesy of Papercaperco. P. Salina Snail & Railroad Vines

Taking up Space

Artists entering the ABI residency discover their strengths and weaknesses. For example, while at the residency, Ryan learned to enjoy the interruption of her artistic flow. Artists working at the gallery share their studio space in a public space and stop what they're going to greet people who walk into the gallery.

Once artists discover their flow, it becomes challenging to put (in Ryan's case) the knife down.

"It's like being a surgeon. You're using the analytical side of your brain. Then suddenly, you have to switch and use the social part of your brain," said Ryan.

This was taxing on Ryan as an introvert and required more exercise.

The program motivates and forces residents to build confidence in their art and appreciate what they do. Ryan became encouraged when she realized the foot traffic the ABI receives is from different parts of the world. Other than being well accepted by the valley, seeing clients from Egypt enjoying her creations was different.

Taking up space on a wall at the ABI made Ryan nervous.

"And that was life altering for me," said Ryan.

The variety of her work is small. However, Ryan's artwork grew as she conquered her fear of taking up space.

Ryan is currently working on her application for a grant from the EDC called Sand Dollars for Success. After that, she plans to offer classes at the 2500 Plaza in her soon to be studio, Papercaperco.

Courtesy of Papercaperco. Beach Access no.3 on a Rainy Day.

Ryan hopes to create a healing space of restoration and fun to help professionals who aren't taking the best care of themselves or need a space to have that self-care.

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