Art Reflections with Perryn Ryan
The Power of Showing Up
"So I'm gonna tell you about a moment that I know was the moment I needed, especially as I recorded for this podcast. Let me tell y'all something. This podcast journey, this is a body of work.
This is a true body of work that I believe I put my heart and soul into. And I believe that because I had to learn a lot about myself, and I had to learn the patterns and the limits that I put on myself in terms of using my voice. Something that should have been done before.
This podcast was supposed to go live at the top of the year. And I kept pushing it back, pushing it back, pushing it back. And now looking back on it, I know with every fiber of my being that I had to learn a lot to get here. There was some barriers, some shackles that I had to let fall off of me for this to happen. And it was this moment, the day I met Paul, a podcast producer from Fort Worth, Texas. That was the moment I needed.
When I walked into that studio to record for the Raising Joy Podcast, everything changed. Paul called me out the moment I switched from my authentic self to what I thought was my 'professional' voice. That experience taught me something crucial – nobody can mute you but you. Nobody can stop you from sharing your story. No one can make you feel any way. No one has that control over you.
This lesson about showing up authentically leads perfectly into my conversation with Perryn Ryan, a Brooklyn-based artist whose journey mirrors this truth in so many ways. Her story is about unlearning the need to work hard just because society says we should, about finding joy in creation, and about trusting our own magic.
A Conversation with Perryn Ryan
"I'm a deeply spiritual, intuitive woman artist," Perryn shared with me, her voice carrying the kind of certainty that comes from truly knowing yourself. We connected initially through a Michael's marketplace project, but our conversation quickly revealed how aligned we were in our perspectives on creativity and authenticity.
Based in Brooklyn by way of DC, Perryn's path to becoming a full-time artist wasn't what you'd expect. After spending nearly a decade in the fashion industry, working with brands like Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade, she found herself at a crossroads in 2019.
"I was just super burnt out," she recalled. "I decided to quit and I had no backup plan. There was no job, minimal savings, but I was just like, I'm going to wing it because I can't do this anymore." That leap of faith? It opened up space for something beautiful to emerge.
The Permission to Flow
You know those moments when you realize you've been doing things the hard way just because you thought you had to? Perryn's been there. "I've spent this last year just unlearning these ideas that you have to work hard in order to have a successful business," she explained. "I'm not interested in working hard. I just want to have fun."
This philosophy extends to her creative process, which flows as naturally as breathing. Every piece begins with a female figure, but where it goes from there? That's guided by pure inspiration and energy rather than rigid plans.
"I don't force myself to create. If there's no inspiration, I don't make anything," she shared. "I have to operate from a place of satisfaction." And isn't that what we're all searching for? That sweet spot where work feels like play?
Creating Space for Magic
In a world where social media often dictates how artists should show up, Perryn's approach is refreshingly different. She's intentionally shifted away from constant content creation and comparison, choosing instead to focus on authentic expression.
"I don't want to let these social media platforms run me," she emphasized. "I just want to have fun. So even now, I'm going to start posting what I want to post – whatever is attached to my creative essence."
The Joy of Creation
When I asked about her favorite part of the creative process, Perryn's answer made my heart sing: "The finished piece, just because it didn't exist before. And I made something that didn't exist and it's here now for people to enjoy. It's an extension of me and whatever I might have been feeling or going through or inspired by."
This joy in creation has led to beautiful collaborations, including murals with Pure Leaf and collections with Kate Spade. But beyond the commercial success, these projects reminded her – and me – of art's power to connect and inspire.
The Art of Intuitive Creation
When we dove into her creative process, Perryn shared how inspiration finds her in the most unexpected places. Recently, she found herself inspired by a TikTok video about moon cycles and a cycle tracking app called Stardust. "I'm really open to inspiration," she explained. "It can come from anywhere. I try to just always have open energy and not be closed off to the things that are around me."
Her process starts with choosing the perfect reference photo from her vast collection of figure poses on Pinterest. But it's what happens next that makes her work so unique. "Once I have like a figure down, I kind of just sketch and add different elements," she shared. "Do I want to add a moon or an arched doorway so it looks like she's inside a space hibernating? It's really just like an experiment."
But what struck me most was how she's learned to honor her creative energy. "I cannot make process videos while I'm working because that takes me out of the flow," she admitted. "I am in direct communication with whatever spiritual creativity there is. And if I'm not focused, then it's like, bye. You obviously aren't ready to do this right now."
A Letter to Her Younger Self
When I asked Perryn what she would tell her younger self, her answer was beautiful in its simplicity: "You're already doing everything you're supposed to be doing. Keep doing it and don't let yourself get distracted and sidetracked by what everyone else is doing and what everyone else is saying you should be doing."
She emphasized the importance of staying focused on your own path, sharing a friend's mantra that resonated deeply: "Focus on your focus." It's about putting your blinders on and staying true to your own journey, regardless of what others are doing.
Embracing Your Own Process
As our conversation drew to a close, Perryn shared something that perfectly echoed what I learned in Paul's studio that day: "I like to think of myself as pure magic. And I think everyone should think of themselves that way. Like you're magic, I'm magic... I think that we don't give ourselves credit for how powerful we are at attracting things, calling things in."
Just like I had to learn to stop muting myself, to show up fully in my voice and my truth, Perryn's journey reminds us that our power lies in embracing who we truly are. No filters, no forced hustle, just pure, authentic creation.
Your Creative Invitation
This week's creative prompt invites you to explore your own creative magic. Take a moment to reflect on your creative journey and what makes your process uniquely yours.
Start by finding a quiet space – maybe with your favorite music playing in the background or in complete silence. Grab your journal, sketchbook, or whatever medium calls to you, and explore these questions:
- When do you feel most in flow with your creativity? Think about the times when creation felt effortless and joyful.
- What "rules" about creativity have you internalized that might be holding you back?
- If your creativity had a chance to speak directly to you, what would it say?
- What would happen if you gave yourself complete permission to create exactly how you want to, without any external pressure?
Create something – anything – from this space of complete freedom. Don't worry about the outcome. Focus instead on the feeling of pure creative expression.
Share your reflections or creations with me at hello@melarieodelusi.com or on Instagram @melarieodelusi. I'd love to see how you embrace your creative magic.
Where to Listen & Connect
To connect with Perryn and learn more about her work, you can visit her website at www.perrynryan.com. Make sure to follow her on Instagram @perrynryanart to stay updated with her latest projects and insights.
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Share your creative journey using #TheRoughConcept and tag @theroughconceptpodcast. I can't wait to see what you create!