Portland Art Gallery Artist: Ryan Kohler

Ryan Kohler is a Portland Art Gallery artist known for his vibrant mixed-media paintings that blend acrylic and collage into energetic “parties on canvas.” Based in Skowhegan, Ryan’s journey to full-time art began with a brief stint in architecture, followed by years immersed in music—writing, performing, and producing—before a major life shift brought him fully into the studio. His process is intuitive and tactile, often sparked by color, texture, and rhythm, with unexpected elements like fragments of album covers adding layers of meaning. A self-taught builder, Ryan even renovated his own studio above a garage, embracing the physicality of creativity in all forms. Inspired early by Picasso and Dalí, he sees each canvas as a self-portrait in energy, offering viewers a dynamic and personal visual experience rooted in Maine’s landscape and artistic community. Join our conversation with Ryan Kohler today on Radio Maine. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more inspiring artist stories.