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Education and Training

Ryan Fugate has honed his craft through extensive training at prestigious institutions and under the guidance of esteemed artists. He studied art and painting at the Glassell School of Art, learning from Patrick Palmer, Jackie Tileston, and Terrell James. Additionally, he trained under the renowned master painter and author Phillip Rubinov Jacobson in Vienna, Austria, and collaborated with Houston artist John Palmer at the Skopelos Foundation for the Arts in Skopelos, Greece.

Inspiration and Travel

Ryan's artistic journey has been deeply influenced by his extensive travels through Austria, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Kenya. These experiences have served as seeds of inspiration for many of his pieces, enriching his work with diverse cultural perspectives.

Recognition and Exhibitions

In 2010, Ryan was honored to be one of the select few chosen for the John Palmer Escapist Mentorship Program. His work has been collected internationally and across the United States, not only by private collectors but also by prominent corporations and businesses such as Chevron, The Houstonian, Body Benefits, Precision Drilling, and Herman and Methodist Hospital. His art has been showcased at various exhibitions and private shows throughout Houston. Notably, in 2011, his work was featured at Art Chicago among some of the world's top artists and galleries. In 2012, Ryan's work was represented and shown at the LA Modern and Contemporary Art Show.

Career and Philanthropy

Since then, Ryan Fugate has successfully built a name for himself as a self-supporting artist, bypassing the traditional gallery establishment. He has cultivated a loyal fan and collector base, working with prominent Houston designers and receiving representation from Mecox, Skyline Art Services, and American Art Services. Grateful for his success and the support he has received, Ryan has given back through philanthropic endeavors. He has created works to raise funds for charities such as Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center, Tree of Hope Foundation, Art on the Avenue, Sky High for Kids, St. Jude's Hospital, the Glassell School of Art Scholarship Fund, The Center for Success and Independence, The Diana Foundation, and H.A.T.C.H.

Studio and Accessibility

Ryan Fugate operates out of his studio at Winter Street Studios, where he transforms the space into a gallery, hosting several open studio events for the public each year. For those interested in collecting an original Ryan Fugate Fine Art piece, he is available for personal viewing appointments.

 

About the Work of Ryan Fugate

Fugate's abstraction can be described as a mode of painting that transcends the depiction of recognizable objects, focusing instead on the expression of music and moods. His work gradually strips away mimetic elements, allowing the 'realm of feeling' to become paramount. The distribution of color in Ryan's paintings, sometimes atmospheric and subtle, other times with dynamic form, communicates his contemplation of human destiny and the meaning of life.

His abstract works expand the scope of abstract language, lending a new dialogue to the abstract image. Ryan's art is visual music, with rhythms demanding both richness and purity. His pieces combine the denseness of oils with the lightness of water, creating a unique and compelling visual experience.

When comparing Fugate to a contemporary artist, one might consider the German painter Gerhard Richter, known for alternating between photo-based representation and abstraction. Like Richter, Fugate blurs the boundaries between abstraction and representation, making ambiguity a positive and central element of his art. This freedom from a singular style allows his work to resonate as a source of inspiration, regardless of the form or style of expression.

Each abstract artist has a unique "genetic code" and history that influences their artistic language. Ryan Fugate's paintings, combining emotions and images with the language of abstract art, utilize his media to create a dignified and confident manner infused with powerful, unrestrained momentum. His quest for insight into the chaotic world is evident in his use of color and form, resulting in art that communicates with honesty, depth, and simplicity. By increasing the substance of his paintings while eliminating extraneous noise, Ryan has achieved new aesthetic heights.

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