Richlin Burnett-ryan

Born in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. At the age of nine she came to the United States and settled in Brooklyn, New York.

Richlin attended Clara Barton High School and took art classes at the
Brooklyn Museum. She also attended Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, The School of visual Arts, New York City studied graphic design.

In 1991 she married artist, Weldon Ryan, and started a family. With her husband started Rich and Well graphics, Inc. Later she worked as the Art Director of IDD Magazine for Thompson Financial, NYC. In 2004 she moved to Palm Coast Florida with her family and continued working as a graphic designer. She created Greenup Magazine, Voice Youth Magazine for the Florida Endowment Foundation, and was the creative art director for OVT magazine. In 2016 Richlin and Weldon Ryan opened Calypso Fine Art Gallery. Presently she is a full-time artist and curates art exhibitions for Bethune-Cookman University Performing Arts Center and Visual Gallery; and the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Educational Gallery.

www.richlinryan.com
www.calypsofineart.com


Portfolio:

VIP series

Through their music, artists such as Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Diana Ross, and Calypso Rose brought joy and happiness to us all. I want to do the same with this body of work.

These works centers on my VIPs. People who are very important to me. A few are famous people and some I know personally. All have qualities I admire. Black acrylic paint is the foundation of the form then color is applied. I continue to explore the color interaction of tissue paper and acrylic paint. The use of these materials allows me to create amazing translucent color effects, texture and movement in my work. The use of a more fluid and random approach in applying the color started with the creation of the Psychedelic Haze painting. Abstracting the from more expressively is what I was aiming for. The process of creating these works mimics the transformation I had during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hope is for my artwork to transport viewers to that joyous happy place where Billie, Jimi, Aretha, Diana, or Calypso Rose is making sweet music.

Diva Diana “Diva Diana”

Mixed media 36" x 36" on canvas 2022

The Diva Diana Ross, arguably the most recognizable voice in vocal Rhythm and Blues History. "The Boss",Diana Ross, singer, songwriter and actress: “Good Morning Heartache”, “Home”, "Upside Down", "Touch Me in the Morning", "Do You Know Where You’re Going To?", "I’m Coming Out", "Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand", "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough", "Endless Love", "It’s My Turn"... Diva Diana creative contributions to the soundtrack of my life reign supreme!

Calypso Rose “Calypso Rose”

Mixed media 36" x 36" on canvas
Calypso Rose, “Rum and Coca Cola”, “Leave Me Alone”, “Underneath the Mango Tree”.

Legalize It/Bob “Legalize It/Bob”

Mixed media 36" x 36" on canvas

Nipsey “Nipsey”

Mixed Media 36" x 36" on canvas

Sydney I “Sydney I”

Mixed media on canvas
24" X 36"

Sydney II “Sydney II”

Mixed media on canvas
24" x 36"