The visual arts is one of the oldest outlets that allow creative individuals to express themselves. Every day, people pick up brushes and create something that will enable them to speak in the form of paintings. Ryan Hopkins is a painter who has spent decades creating original works that challenge his viewers’ interpretations, recently opening his own gallery to showcase his talent.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ryan Hopkins exhibited an extreme passion for creativity at a young age when he learned how to hold a pencil. Growing up, he practiced his craft, projecting his imagination on paper. Ryan’s practice proved to be fruitful, as it helped him gain admission to Yale University. He majored in Architectural Design and Fine Art, learning about theories and ideas that would stay with him throughout his career and eventually help build his philosophy.

Whenever he had the time, Ryan would go to Manhattan, visiting museums and art galleries as he sought to fuel his mind with new ideas. In classes, he studied with some well-known figures in the art world today under the guidance of several renowned professors like art historian Vincent Scully. As his studies progressed, Ryan worked as a designer for architects and real estate developers, but there was a nagging feeling that left him unsatisfied. He yearned for the freedom of expression that he found as a student, growing tired of drawing straight lines for the benefit of others.

Eventually, Ryan Hopkins decided to rent an old garage where he started experimenting with paint and materials around him. The final product resulted in a blend of figuration, abstract expressionism, and collages, most of which can now be found in private and corporate collections worldwide. From there, the painter started creating more original works, living in larger cities to paint and sell. 

As an artist, Ryan challenges his viewers to actively participate in his paintings and let their imaginations find meaning in the visual chaos. He strives to build new relationships that seem to be mistakes at first glance. While no art is without decision, Ryan attempts to highlight certain accidents to find synthesis where once only the irreconcilable was evident.

Throughout the years, he developed a loose style that contradicted his work as an architectural draftsman. Ryan’s paintings made their way across the United States, selling in New York, Chicago, Miami, Washington, and Philadelphia, to name a few. The artist would later return to the eastern shore of Maryland, where he started painting coastal paintings. Among his most popular works is his original 3ft x 4ft Crabs painting.

Together with his wife of 29 years, Susan Hopkins, Ryan opened a gallery in 2017. Running for four years now, the gallery has been the home to Ryan’s works and comprises abstract paintings, pop art, ink sketches, and coastal paintings. It has also won ‘Best Of’ awards throughout the area, making it one of the most exciting destinations to visit. Apart from the original paintings that Ryan Hopkins has created over the years, the gallery hides a record store in the back, featuring the artist’s collection of over 3,000 vinyl records. 

Ryan Hopkins has already established himself as one of the best visual artists in the industry, but he foresees his works finding new homes to further cement his name as one of America’s greatest artists.

Learn more about Ryan Hopkins – Hopkins Original Art by visiting his official website. You can also find his works on Facebook and Instagram.