Lexington artist Kristan Ryan, also known as ArtGirl, creates emotionally raw paintings that serve as both reflections of suffering and beacons for healing.
WATCH: ArtGirl fights for freedom with her paintings
In the quiet of downtown Lexington, Kristan Ryan — known locally as ArtGirl — is turning pain into powerful portraits.
“I think it’s really even more important for me to paint things that I feel help people who are suffering,” Ryan said. “Sort of see a way to recover or see things that people are saying that makes them feel like they’re going to be OK.”
Ryan, who grew up in Germany and Morocco before moving to the U.S. at 10 years old, has always been a student of the world. She studied at New York University, led a vocational school in Florida and taught English to teachers in China.
Now, she’s a full-time artist and substitute teacher at Oglethorpe County High School.
Last November, Ryan moved ArtGirl’s Out Loud Art Gallery from Athens to Lexington to expand her studio space. At first, she wasn’t sure if the community would accept her or her art, but as she’s settled into her space, the county has shown its support.
Ryan Dawson, a junior at Oglethorpe County High School, is one of her students and has been helping her around the gallery. Although he may not agree with all of her work, he thinks every piece is beautiful.
“Some people might not like (Ryan’s art), but me personally, I really love it,” Dawson said. “It can be something completely normal. Next thing you know, it has a meaning to it.”
From her portraits to political pieces, Ryan tells a story through every painting.
Her ongoing project, “Angry Females Done Swallowing our Words,” is a collection depicting real women who are frustrated with the world. With each painting, Ryan said she is fighting for women’s rights.
“Some people don’t agree with me about this, but I don’t care,” she said. “I’m older than dirt, and I feel it’s really important for me to keep speaking out now because I need to protect, particularly females.”
Ryan’s message has resonated beyond the county.
Eshan Ravuri of Athens discovered Ryan after his girlfriend, Carly, saw her painting at a Jittery Joe’s. They’ve since purchased many paintings from Ryan, and Ravuri plans to help Ryan build a website for her business.
“Being able to actually convey something without even opening your mouth, it’s pretty powerful,” Ravuri said. “I think Kristan has a very provocative way of approaching things with her art, but it’s very personal.”
Despite being passionately outspoken, Ryan knows not everyone will agree with her beliefs. Just a few months ago, she said someone shot at the windows in front of her gallery on Main Street. The bullet holes are still there, but Ryan doesn’t plan on replacing the glass.
“There are the people that find my work controversial,” she said. “And I invite them to come over here and learn to paint, so they can express how they feel. If they’re angry with me, express it.”
When Ryan finishes renovating her gallery in the coming weeks, she plans on holding painting classes available to the public. In the meantime, she’s letting students use her studio and supplies to paint.
“I’ve already had some high school students come in here and do some crazy paintings,” Ryan said. “I like having students down here, and I like having adults come down here.”
Ryan said when she begins to doubt herself, somebody comes along to reassure her.
“A number of people have dropped by — a woman, yesterday — to tell me not to leave, because the community wants me here,” Ryan said. “I was moved by that.”