Long Beach artist Ryan Milner originally moved here to attend the illustration program at California State University Long Beach. He stayed because he fell in love with the city. "It feels like a short while, but I've been a resident for almost 10 years," he told me. "I love living here, it's a great place to be an artist and you get to connect with all types of different people."
Carma Spence: I've noticed a starkness and quality of despair to much of your work. How did you develop your personal style?
Ryan Milner: Thanks. I think it's mostly a mash up of what inspires me at the time, and what I want to say that leads to any style I have ... I don't feel like I'm aware of it while I work, instead trying to focus on what will make things look the best.
It can vary from project to project, considering the focus, emotion or subject matter. Funny enough, some of my most important breakthroughs have often occurred by accident, after I've been pulling my hair out in attempts to capture something different. It's the twist that makes creating so much fun.
CS: How would you describe your artistic style?
RM: I try not to be to aware of any style I may have. Certain things I do have a familiarity, I love putting a range of detail and movement in my work. As a result, the stylization can be anything from illustrative to painterly. I try to let things evolve, keeping in mind what feels right.
CS: How did you get involved with the Zombie Art Show in Long Beach?
RM: I first learned about this show through Phone Booth Gallery in Long Beach and was stoked to be invited to participate. I had become quite an undead-a-holic after showing in a previous Zombie show curated by my buddy Jason Liwag. I was super excited to hear he had teamed up with Phone Booth Gallery for this exhibition.
CS: Where do you get your inspiration?
RM: Pop culture plays a big role in inspiring me. Movies, music and comic books ... inspiration can really come from anywhere. I often love grabbing elements from different genres and mixing them together.
CS: Are there any well-known artists that you have been influenced or inspired by? In what way?
RM: Too many to count. There are so many amazing and talented artists that have inspired me over the years; but, I'd have to say Sebastian Kruger is at the top of my list. He's a modern day master of his craft and his ability to capture expression and emotion within his work has always inspired me. I actually had an opportunity to study with him recently in Germany -- it was amazing.
CS: How did you discover your artistic talents?
RM: I watched a lot of T.V. as a kid and would always try and draw my favorite characters. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman, Beavis and Butthead were some of my favs. Comic books were also a big inspiration for me to start drawing, I wanted to be able to recreate all the cool things I saw. My parents played a big roll in my discovery as well, always being super encouraging. Having that throughout my life, especially early on, really helped me develop into the artist I am today. I owe a lot of my confidence and success to their amazing support.
CS: What kinds of media do you prefer to work with?
RM: I love working mostly with acrylics and graphite, but have also been using a lot of pen and ink. I love acrylics because of how versatile they are, allowing me to work in washes or thicker strokes. They are also very easy to cover, which helps me a lot in the early stages of developing a piece. I've also found that working with pen and ink helps me to think more graphically then when I paint or draw with pencil.
For more information about Ryan Milner and his work, visit his website at ryanmilner.com or his blog at ryanmilnerart.blogspot.com. You can also join him on facebook and twitter.
This interview is the eighth in a series of interviews with the artists featured in the Zombie Art Show that have a connection to Long Beach. See below for links to the last five interviews in this series.
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