Kelt Ryanson
There are some great mysteries in the world. Right up there with "Why is
the sky blue?" and "If a tree falls in the forest and nobody's around,
does it make a sound?" is "Why hasn't Kelt Ryanson been Artist of the Month
until now? Surely he's one of the Archive's most valued and
celebrated members, and it's about time we have him the recognition he
deserves.
In the Artist's Own Words:
| “ | Artist of the Month? You don't know what it means to me! Thanks,
everyone! And special thanks go to Epona and TabbyKatt for being my
buddies, Pegasuss for supporting me, Wolverina for role-playing with me,
and of course Tallon for introducing me to the Archive, ever and always
encouraging me, and just being my best friend in the world!
Animated movies are works of art as well as entertainment. I have always been fascinated by them, and by the Lion King in particular. When I was little, I used to fill up my drawing pad with pictures of Simba, but then stopped because of some very true but not-so-nice comments on them. However, after Tallon showed me the Archive, I began drawing again. My art went through phases, changes, and gradual improvements to get where it is, and hopefully it will continue to improve. Although I try hard to keep my style original, I know it is influenced most by my idols Evana and Domino. I have been told that I put a lot of emotion into my artwork. Art is an escape for me, a place where I can control what happens, and I suppose a place where I can release emotion. My heart is kept in a black, cloth-cover, zip-up binder, and I am rarely seen without it, even though I get the "why do you draw lions so much?" and "is that Simba?" just as much as any other TLK artist. (Those same people who ask the common questions are the ones who would not think of an animated movie as a piece of art created by artists.) Sometimes I can hardly help myself from drawing while other times I have to work at it. It is my dream (like so many others out there) to become an animator or comic book artist, though I highly doubt I will ever become one . . . (That's the Jakku in me talking.) Even if I don't ever use my art in my career, I plan on enjoying it for the rest of my life! I have a thirst for stories. I love them. (Especially sad ones!) I try to find stories for all my beloved characters in both Africa and Aisling (Tallon's created world), and most of my characters DO have stories. I love a story even more than a well-designed character, because drawing pictures in only half the art of creating characters. Creating stories that grow and connect and intertwine with others gives me the greatest joy in the art realm. Sometimes an idea will simply dawn on me fully evolved, while other times it may start as small as a seed to sprout up later into full bloom. Had it not been for this Archive I probably would not know that joy of developing characters. To take character development one step farther leads us to species development. I admire those of you who have your own species and develop them! Antheos's Noxes and Tallon's Rhodris are some of the best developed species I've ever seen. My own dear Nebulions and Ko'Drhos (being moved to Deviant) can't compare, and the Jumla are nowhere near that well developed. I love my species anyway, and plan on developing them as far as I am able to go! Maybe someday you'll walk into a bookstore and see the Aisling Chronicles up there with the classics (or bargain books)! But even if Aisling remains at the back of a few minds, and I never become an artist of any kind, and even if the Archive eventually closes down, I will never forget this honor you've given me. Thank you so much, everyone! |
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Kelt Ryanson made a name for himself originally through the lavishly colored, richly detailed character portraits that he would create for fellow artists. Indeed, this category still makes up nearly half of the more than 1000 pictures that comprise his massive gallery. But what's really made this artist stand out is the sheer detail of attention given to his created universe and characters, with literally hundreds of those same character portraits supporting that huge cast, and hundreds more pictures that flesh out that world that they inhabit. Not many artists have shown this much dedication to their work, much less taken it upon themselves to separate out the pieces that would fit better at another site, leaving behind what is still a gargantuan collection of top-quality work.
All this risks failing to recognize the technical skill evident in Kelt Ryanson's work. Most pictures are digitally colored, and the richness and strength of that coloring technique lends an intensity and an energy to the art that makes it stand out in its own right, even if it weren't for the confident anatomy, unique stylization, animated motion, and subtle humor that can be found throughout his collection. It's that coloring work that really draws a visitor in and invites a leisurely browse through the gallery's whole contents.
The Archive itself owes as much to Kelt Ryanson's contribution over its lifetime as he claims to have benefited from it; it's impossible to overstate the impact, both artistically and philosophically, his presence has had over the years. As long as we can be sure that he will remain a part of the Archive, we know the site has a long and prosperous life ahead of it.
Thank you, and congratulations!