About Me

Everyone searches to find some sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and recognition in their own life. What that looks like is different for each person. For some it’s the development of personal relationships, building a family, organizing events, or construction.

I’m Donald Ryker, and I find true satisfaction in creating, in particular, I love painting. Using a hard hat with a brush attached I have discovered a way to be able to independently create a piece of art that I can share with other people so they too can enjoy nature, color, shape and texture. I am attracted to powerful, engaging natural images, vibrant colors, texture, light and shadow, and love creating an image using layers. I have extensively studied color and for each painting I blend primary pigments with heavy medium to create the color palette that will evoke the feelings and connection I want the viewer to see in my work.

My influences are Franz Mark with his freedom from traditional colors, Monet with his layers and textures, and Van Gough’s clear pigments and vibrant hues. My subjects are most often natural things – birds, animals, fish and peaceful landscapes.

Having Cerebral Palsy and painting with my head has influenced my style. In contrast to the meticulous detail and precision of realism, or photography, I have embraced loose bold brush strokes and use heavy medium to create a bold, fluid expressionist style that includes my unique use of glaze and layering. I want to create vibrant unforgettable artwork that your eye will return to again and again seeing new details each time.
After many years of painting, I have gained keen collectors who appreciate my unique style that is recognizable as I explore a variety of natural subjects.