We were lucky to catch up with Ryan Case recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ryan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was always an art kid. always had a sketchbook in hand. It helped me in social situation, because I wasn’t very social.

After high school, I wanted to go into special effects fields, but couldn’t afford art school or the type of classes I would need to get into that industry. I made lots of friends in the tattooing world, and decided to go toward that direction. But i quickly realized, that I didn’t have the patience to learn it properly, so I went into tattoo shop management and body piercing. While in the slow times at the shop, I tried my hand at painting to pass the time. I then developed a love and passion for art that felt like I had in my childhood. I loved it more (and was making more $ at it than my piercing job) I dove into painting full time as a career over 15 years ago, and have not slowed down since.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I realized I could make a living with my art the first time someone offered me $ for one of the paintings I was working on. The thought really had never crossed my mind, and this was in the early Myspace days. So I went all in and decided to promote my work online as much as I could. I did lots of free art for bands to help spread the word, and made a lot of really fun connections in the Punk/hardcore/metal scenes.

I want people to feel awesome when they see my work. I spent many years so focused on just selling art that I was constantly doing pieces I wasn’t 100% in to. A lot of fan art and pop art that really didn’t have my heart. which led to a severe burnout.

I made a promise to myself that I would never create a painting or try and sell a painting that I wasn’t 100% into. I want my love and excitement to be flowing from every single painting.

I love to infuse nightmare creatures with a rad and supportive Positive energy. I call it my PMA. positive monster attitude.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The greatest compliment an artist can get, in my opinion, is that your art inspires someone else to create art. or at the very least, your art made them feel better in some way.

I’m here to lift everyone around me up. I spent so many years angry, full of self pity, and all for really no reason.

I never want to live that way again, or make anyone else feel that way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Since picking up a paint brush, I have never stopped. Maybe the universe is looking out for me, but when things get stressful, I paint. when things get frustrating, I paint. When things are going amazing and I feel on top of the world, I paint.

Making the art that I do brings me so much joy and connection to my inner child, that no matter how I am feeling, I paint.

Loving yourself authentically and honestly is a step we all should take. Find those joys that make us happy as children and create them into your adult life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.linktr.ee/iamryancase
• Instagram: @iamryancase
• Twitter: @solislumenart
• Other: www.patreon.com/iamryancase