Welcome!

Hi, thanks for stopping by my website.

This is my first blog post so I thought I would take a second to introduce myself. HI, My name is Ryan Pearse, I’m a designer, artist and illustrator from Calgary, Alberta. I have worked in many different fields, doing graphics for many different places, everything from interpretive centres, museums, car and trailer wraps, paintings for plays, films, and more.

If you’re curious about my backstory, I grew up In Calgary Alberta. As a young kid I would draw everyday until eventually I went to school at the University of Lethbridge in New Media, a combination of art, music and drama. There I focused on 3D modeling and animation, however after finishing my first degree I realized I wanted to focus on Illustration and enrolled at the Alberta College of Art and Design (now AUArts), where I finished with Distinction and was awarded the Board of Governors Award.

Since finishing school, I’ve worked for many different companies in various forms of illustration, in every medium, from traditional oil paint, to fully digital murals. My work is as varied as my clients, from private commissions, to museums and everything in between. I’ve created for a variety of companies such as the Town of Okotoks, The City of Trail, Spirit Fire Theatre, Fargo the TV show, the City of Calgary, AUArts, the Calgary Stampede, Westwind Design, DIRTT Environmental Solutions and many more.

In addition to new work and new clients, I have also continually tried to train my craft by taking educational courses. I have been lucky enough to study at the IMC (Illustration Master Class, a one week workshop with some of the best artists and illustrators in the world) with Rebecca Guay, Greg Manchess, Scott Fisher, Dan Dos Santos, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Ian Mccaig and Mike Mignola. Later I was lucky enough to take a mentorship program with Rebecca Guay and Greg Manchess at Smarter Art School, then another workshop at the Illustration Academy with Jon Foster, Mark English, John English, Gary Kelly and George Pratt. Finally after the one week workshop at the Illustration Academy I took another mentorship with Edward Kinsella at Visual Arts Passage. I have been truly lucky to work under so many phenomenal people and my skill set has increased so much over the past few years, and I hope it continues to grow.

So join me on this journey and If you have any questions or would like to know more about me, my paintings or my process, feel free to send me a message.

Here is a look at a my first professional illustration done during my time at the Alberta College of Art and Design for the City of Calgary and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.