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

Alright, Ryan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was born into a home of artists. My dad is an architect and interior designer, and my mum is a ceramic sculptor. Imagination was part of daily life.

When I was four, they brought home a DVD player with two films: Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin and Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn. My brother and I had to choose which one to watch. Quite frankly, to this day, I still haven’t seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I was so mesmerized by the Tramp. I didn’t fully understand what I was watching, but somehow I knew… whatever that man was doing… I wanted this.

That moment lit a spark, and then I pretty much became obsessed with cinema… the whole thing you know? Sitting in the dark, waiting for the lights to dim. The screen is a portal, and every story was a new world to walk into. I knew, deep down, that this wasn’t just entertainment for me. It’s much larger than that.

Music came just as early. We had a piano at home, and I was playing it before I could even utter words. It became my second voice. Then came the guitar, and that instrument had nuances of expression that felt limitless. I fell so deeply in love with music.

So there I was… a little kid, fascinated by telling stories. Whether I’m creating one or playing a character in it, I’m all in. The decision to pursue the art life didn’t happen all at once… it built over time, slowly and quietly, shaped by every moment that made me feel something real.

I will always be chasing that feeling, the moment Chaplin walked into frame.

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.

There was a time where I felt pretty lost, and I didn’t know where or how I fit in the world. I was taking photographs, playing lots of music, and writing… just chasing anything that made me feel a sense of purpose. My parents were the ones who looked at me and said, “Why don’t you put all of that into one thing? Why not make films?” And… click! It just made sense.

At the time, I probably didn’t think much about how movies were made, and I just wanted to be a part of them. I never really questioned the craft. I like ideas. I care about ideas, and the way they flourish into paintings, sculptures, houses, scenes, costumes, music, characters… and ultimately films.

I guess that… when I work on these things, I try to make sense of who I am through film.

I write to create stories. I direct to build worlds. And I act to discover myself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Being better at my craft… it keeps me grounded. If I’m not creating, I don’t feel okay. And I’m not trying to be dramatic—I’ll keep the drama in the scripts.

The amount of joy and clarity I get from making films and playing music is something I don’t find anywhere else. It’s where I feel most present… it’s unmatched. Creating helps me make sense of the world, of people, of myself. It’s how I process things. This is how I stay in touch with wonder.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To me… it doesn’t feel like work. It’s a lot of fun, and I’m very grateful for that. I get to wake up and do this… it’s exciting, it’s challenging, and it pushes me to give it everything I’ve got.

I love the creative flow, and you get to experience that when you’re an artist. Watching an idea take shape and come to life. The process is messy and very unpredictable, but it’s also immensely rewarding.

And I think this applies to anything you do… if you truly love it, you will show up for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14884186
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryankay.art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryankay.art
• Twitter: https://x.com/ryankay_art

Image Credits

Sergiy Molchenko
Marcelo Nlele