Rya Wu is an emerging abstract artist interested in the invisible world both around and within us. She grew up a stone's throw from the sleepless city of Seattle, originally working as a jewelry production assistant. She also enjoyed working as a life coach with local people of color interested in healing intergenerational trauma. Rya now lives in Ballard, painting from her studio surrounded by seagulls and the colorful characters of the city. The roots of Rya Wu’s paintings lie in her deep-seated desire to honor and heal from a tumultuous origin, and to create spaces that support others to do the same. Her work captures the elemental emotions of being human, thus offering a moment to reflect on and honor our own triumphs and tribulations.
About
My artistic process incorporates mixed media on paper and canvas, often utilizing second hand materials sourced from places like Seattle Recreative, Ballard Reuse, and Second Use Building Materials. I hope that through these materials my art invites conversation, connection, and reflection across different demographics. My painting process is a lot like having a conversation, or prayer. I make a statement or inquiry, wait for a response to show itself, and continue until it feels complete - that feeling like the missing puzzle piece just fell into place. I let curiosity and intuition guide me.