We recently connected with Ryan Cronin and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ryan, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I was born on the front seat of a late 1960’s Plymouth Station Wagon. I guess you can say I have been taking risks from the moment I came into this world. When I was a kid, my father told me, “You can be the garbage man. You can be the president, so I chose to become an artist. Throughout my adolescence, I was constantly pushing the envelope and finding myself in trouble. My parents responded by putting a camera in my hand to occupy me and my creative journey began. I lived in NYC in the early 90’s and one of my best friends was going to Cooper Union for painting. He kept encouraging me to pick up a paintbrush but I was too intimidated at first and then my camera broke so I started messing around with paint and my photos, creating mixed-media pieces, and eventually my practice turned to focus on painting as my main form of expression. Thirty-five years later, I am still making paintings. I’ve taken a lot of risks to get where I am in my art career. It wasn’t one particular risk but a series of life choices that all involved risk and I don’t think I would have had the courage to take risks if my father hadn’t instilled those words in me, “You can be the garbage man, you can be the president.”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am not a one-man band here. I have a tremendous force behind me, my wife of almost 25 years, Melanie, and our team. In our early years, Melanie and I pounded the pavement applying for shows, doing art fairs, and showing my work in museums and galleries around the country. During that time we grew a community of fans and collectors. That support gave us the courage to take the next risk and open up our own brick-and-mortar space in our hometown of New Paltz, NY. We’re rolling into our ninth year in the gallery and yet it feels like just yesterday that we first opened the doors. It’s been an incredible experience. We are fortunate that the majority of our revenue is generated from art sales but we have also developed a line of merchandise driven by my original imagery. I am a firm believer in art being in and of the world we live in and accessible to all. We are also firm believers in the power of human connection. We have put a great deal of focus on leveraging my art for good and have had the privilege of working on projects with individuals and organizations globally that focus on uplifting others. It has become an integral part of how we do business. So while you may walk through the door and it looks and feels like a traditional gallery on one side and boutique on the other, Melanie is most likely working on a project with one of our NGO partners. Right now our hearts are in Senegal. In 2019, I was honored to be an artist in residence at Thread Artist Residency and Cultural Center, thanks to the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, where I spent a month creating work. During my time there, I had the good fortune of meeting another artist, Saliou Diop, who also spent time creating at Thread. Saliou and I are now working on a project together that will culminate in an inter-continental exhibition. Melanie and I are also working with Le Korsa, the philanthropic arm of the Albers Foundation, to support the growth of the game of lacrosse in Senegal, but we can save that for another interview.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One might think that the reward is in selling the art and don’t get me wrong, that is how we support our family and live a fulfilling life but the reward is in the process. It is being able to create the life we choose to live, to constantly meet new people, and dive into new projects and partnerships with big thinkers and change makers who are here to have an impact on the world. That’s where the real reward is and we are grateful for it every day.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Over the years people have said “You’re so lucky to have this space,” and we just smile in response. Our journey has been grounded in four “Cs,” Courage, Commitment, Consistency, and Community. We apply this formula to everything we do in our lives.
Art found me and I am not quite sure where it will lead us next but Melanie and I are both open to the experience and we can guarantee that we will have fun doing it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cronartusa.com
- Instagram: @artistryancronin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistRyanCronin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cronartusa/
- Twitter: @cronartusa.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSukjI2KOYkbT4CUzI-mPtg
- Other: @thecroningallery (Instagram) We have his artist page and the gallery separated.
Image Credits
mike mcgregor photography – portrait of Ryan in front of the grain silo (first photo uploaded). Melanie Cronin – the rest of the photos