Aspiring Artist Set For SPI Exhibit

by Ricardo D. Cavazos

Ryan Henry is completing his yearlong residency at the ABI of South Padre Island and is preparing for a  mid-April solo exhibit. (All photos are courtesy photos.)

Ryan Henry’s yearlong residency is coming to an end at the Art Business Incubator of South Padre Island – and in that time – the artist says "miles and miles" of paint have coursed through his brushes in creating over 40 paintings.

For years, while working as the editor of a Brownsville newspaper, Henry was fortunate to find the time to produce a handful of paintings a year. Looking back over the last 12 months, he sees an artist immersed in his work who has confidence and faith in a new endeavor that at the same time has been a lifelong passion.

"You put your all into it," said Henry of a hectic year of going through the program, competing in a major art show, and conducting numerous workshops.

Henry is now preparing for the big sendoff from the ABI in hosting his first solo exhibit in mid-April. The artist’s "Local Color" exhibition will take place on April 13 at the ABI, located at 2500 Padre Blvd., Suite 1, from 6-8 p.m. The solo show is open to the public and serves as a final requirement for artists who complete the 12-month residencies at the SPI ABI.

"I’m in exhausting and nervous mode in preparing for it," Henry said of solo exhibit. "I’m feeling happiness in the midst of it all and biting at the bit to progress and get it going."

The next step and what has Henry most excited is opening his own art gallery, which he hopes to do in May on the Island and in the same arts-oriented plaza that houses the ABI.

The sights and scenes of South Padre Island are among the works featured by plein-air artist Ryan Henry.

"It’s scary because I’m still hoping to make it into a viable business," he said. "I have faith in myself to make ends meet and do what’s necessary."

Defining Local Color

Henry is a plein-air artist who specializes in landscapes of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Island is an obvious favorite spot for Henry as are scenes from downtown Brownsville and the fishing harbor at the city’s port. Henry was born in West Texas, came to the Rio Grande Valley as a youth, and grew up in Weslaco. His bio at the ABI describes Henry’s work as capturing "the spirit, sensations and scenes of South Texas."

Henry works in watercolor, acrylics and oils and says his Local Color exhibit explores the changing light and shades of daytime hours.

"As an artist, you notice surprising colors everywhere," Henry said in a press release about his upcoming exhibit. "Those colors may not be noticed until you really look carefully at something, looking past the local color. Shadows might reflect the intense blue sky overhead. Grass isn’t just green."

Henry does draw upon his journalistic training in observing, taking notes, and telling stories through his paintings.

"As an artist, I think about local color as a painter and as a storyteller," he said in the release. "I want to paint how the moment felt as much as how it looks. I inject my feelings. You shouldn’t do that as a journalist, but as an artist I can. And it’s fulfilling."

Shrimp boats at the Port of Brownsville demonstrate Ryan Henry's commitment to reflecting the Rio Grande Valley in his work.

Going Forward

One of Henry’s high points over the last year was competing in a major fine art show in Kerrville.

It was Henry’s debut in an art show of that caliber and he was among 50 artists at the show. 

It was an intensive test of Henry’s capabilities as he and the other artists were asked to create work at the site of the show as judges assessed their paintings. Henry entered the Kerrville show for the experience of competing at such a show but found he did better than expected in landing one of seven awards of excellence for a painting.

"It was surprising and encouraging to do so well in my first competition," he said.

Henry calls it "getting yourself out there" to the public and giving the aspiring artist more exposure in building a higher profile.

"You go to events and connect with people," he said. "It’s vital for them to connect to your art. I’m somewhat of an introvert, but I found I really enjoy that part of it."

Ryan Henry's work examines the always changing light and shades of daytime colors.

Henry sees it all coming together at his Meridian and Muse Fine Art Gallery at the Island. It will feature not only his work but that of other area and Gulf Coast artists. Bringing in other artists and their work, he said, "makes it bigger than just myself."

Henry says he has left "the comfort of a regular paycheck" from his previous job to a work-life of independence where an entrepreneur will offer his artistic talents and work to those who see value in it.

"A year goes by in a flash," he said of the one-year residency at the ABI. "I’ve learned so much and I’m so happy to be going forward with my own gallery."

R. Daniel Cavazos is a Rio Grande Valley native and
longtime journalist who has worked as a publisher,
editor, and reporter at several South Texas
newspapers, including The Monitor, the Valley Morning
Star, The Brownsville Herald, and San Antonio Light.

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