Tale of the Accidental Artist

Artist Michael Ryan was 18 when he decided to study philosophy. Dissatisfied with his college course, he took up a course in a culinary institute. However, it was when he spent three years of his life as a house painter, and eventually painting churches, that he realised his fascination towards art. For Michael, there was no looking back from there. He says, “My spiritual enlightenment, and the understanding that the lord delights in the working of my hands has guided me. I am constantly making mistakes, and I know I am getting better. My manic thought process is balanced with my work which keeps me at peace.”

The self-taught artist will now exhibit his latest works at India Art Festival this week. While his previous show was focused on figures symbolising human nature: the good and evil, this show is a collection depicting the serenity in nature. His current exhibition, he tells us, is “focused on the present and not on the past, unlike my previous shows.” Talking about his exhibition, he says, “I was determined to paint something beautiful. I work very hard painting seven days a week and learning new skills along the way. It has given me great pleasure — working through the self-destructive thought process and now seeing the beauty in my life, which is translating into landscapes. There is no conflict in my work this time around!”

The artist, who uses oil and powder based pigment for his paintings, paints at least eight hours a day. He tells us that painting for him is nothing less than a spiritual journey. He says, “My manic energy allows me to focus as I pray and paint. This is all coming from my faith—the joy I get from getting up every morning and working. I wake up each morning, glad I have something I so passionately love to do.”

When Michael isn’t painting, he spends his time at the Jehangir Art Gallery. He says, “I look at art and intermingle with the artist community and have a special compassion for those with lesser skills. I encourage them to make mistakes, from which I know they will get better.”

From Nov 26 to 29, 11am to 7pm At Nehru Centre, Worli