Local Mural Artist’s Ever-changing and Evolving Style

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Local mural artist Ryan Smeeton fuses realism with the abstract to capture the city’s vibrant energy

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

Hintonburg is one of Ottawa’s most interesting, culture-filled hotspots that encompasses a broad range of urban artistic practices, including sculptures, breathtaking murals and miniatures.

Ottawa's muralistWhile exploring the street art located throughout the neighbourhood, you will likely spot the inspiring work of the Ottawa-based muralist, Ryan Smeeton. His work is vibrant, full of movement and energy. His art can be distinguished by hyper-realistic larger-than-life hands, bright flowers, or faces captured in a moment of contemplation or action. There is an awe-striking balance of realism with abstract which is displayed by the background spattering of colour here, an evolving cluster of shapes there. The brilliant depth of his art can be glanced at the Canada Science and Technology Museum on St. Laurent Blvd and his mural for the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada in Eastway Gardens.

Residents of Hintonburg Connection can familiarize themselves with Ryan’s work – one of his latest murals can be found in the building’s lobby where a bold, flowing ribbon of rich yellow captures the vibrancy of the neighbourhood. Ryan worked with the team at interior designers Iron & Ivory to transform the space and inject it with life. “That was a really cool experience for me,” says Ryan. “The goal for that was to infuse the space with colour and movement. It was also an opportunity to create something fully abstract. It was a chance to focus on movement, shape, colour and form.”

After leaving his job for an artist’s residency in Spain’s countryside in 2015, Ryan has been painting murals professionally. “I come from a background of academic painting, how to paint realistically. But I’m also interested in abstract painting and colour relationship.”

A recent project in Toronto was his latest accomplishment. With the help of a team of graffiti artists, he developed three different murals, totalling more than 6,000 square feet.

A mural in Ottawa

This project helped the artist develop a keen interest in the frenetic and highly technical street-level style – seeing what he can accomplish with a can of spray paint. “I see it as an advantage to dabble in many different things and styles,” explains Ryan.

As for his relationship to Ottawa, and how it also influences his art, Ryan (who grew up in Ajax, but has called Ottawa home since 2007) embraces the supportive nature of the city – and the community of like-minded mural artists he’s come to be a part of.

“As an emerging mural artist at a time when they’re becoming more and more prevalent, it’s a great city,” explains Ryan. “Because Ottawa is a smaller city, there seems to be a tight-knit community of different artists and peers. There’s really supportive energy.

“All the mural artists in town, we all know each other. When a call goes out for a wall, it’s almost like a friendly competition. Whoever actually gets the gig, we’re all stoked that one of our friends got a good project. It’s really supportive and unique in that way.”

This is an exemplification of the unique community in Ottawa and an appreciation for art. Experience the artistic detail of Ryan’s work in person in the lobby – right at the heart of the Hintonburg Connection building.

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