Artist of the month - Omar Rayyan

Omar Rayyan was born in Jordan, but grew up “all over” and eventually ended up going to school at the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States of America. Right after graduation in 1990, he and his wife ended up settling down in Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts by accident. His work was accepted into a show there and they never left after going to deliver the work for that show. Omar’s work has been shown in galleries, conventions, and on his own through his website and Etsy store. Rayyan’s work has been featured in literature, games (most notable Magic: The Gathering), and even helped create the feel for Narnia in the motion picture The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Although Omar makes a good living through the sales of his work, he recently got paid reprint rights for a small press book cover illustration... with a bottle of scotch, much to his amusement. He attributes much of his decisions about his work habits, career path, etc. to his loving wife Sheila, who is a ceramic artist who also has a fondness for monsters. Omar’s work is shaped by the aesthetics of the great 19th century Renaissance and Romantic painters, but also by his surroundings on his island home. Nature and animals are at the core of his work and tell a story of magic and fantasy that are both curious and endearing. The world he creates with his work in watercolor, are both fantastic yet feel familiar. The painting I chose to highlight, Little Darlings, captures the strength of his work and how he can show a monster as both savage, and a cuddly pet at the same time. Follow the links below to follow him and/or learn more about his work.


Website: www.studiorayyan.com
Blog: http://studiorayyan.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/orayyan