Ryan Stover Art Blog

Hands holding watercolor paintings over a studio table

The Telepathy Tapes

Ok, hear me out: Autistic kids are telepathic. The universe is made of consciousness. …And an American business-man-turned-mathematician reopened a 5th dimensional codex from Atlantis. Wait, where are you [...]

17
Oct

The Surrender Experiment

In 2022, my friend Leah suggested I read The Surrender Experiment. So I got a copy, started reading… and hated it. Michael A. Singer, the author, shares his epic [...]

30
Sep

Black ink drawing of a swirling tornado of forms by Ryan Stover

So… I got diagnosed with ADD at 43 🤯

Hello wonderful readers! Well, if these newsletters were a TV show, consider this the season premiere after a long summer hiatus… Maybe you’re old enough to [...]

04
Sep

Ryan Stover and friends smiling in a car on a road trip

Roadside Rescue Part 2

It’s almost comical when you’re the one who’s supposed to be “keeping it together” in the middle of complete uncertainty. Huxley needed answers: How long will [...]

31
Jul

Broken Down 1,000 Miles From Home

“How are you, Hadley?” I asked. The four of us were dragging our suitcases across the empty streets of Kellogg, Idaho. Our car was a mile [...]

09
Jul

Framed watercolor and ink painting by Ryan Stover

Did I just blow up my credibility?

Make art. Tell stories. …Ask for help? 😱 My last email stirred up a lot. Friends reached out to encourage. Other artists reached out to commiserate.My aunt [...]

10
Jun

Ryan Stover with a young artist in a coffee shop

I’m Asking for Help 😱

This is the part I’ve been avoiding. I’m not going to make it as an artist without your help. Every time I ask Guidance what to do, I hear [...]

03
Jun

Man doing a handstand on a beach at sunset

You might be someone’s manifestation

The day I arrived in Nosara, Costa Rica I was already surrendering to adventure. My tuk tuk driver gave his three wheeled motorcycle everything he could [...]

20
May

Watercolor painting of colorful leaves by Ryan Stover

The Hardest Thing I Did in Costa Rica

I’m not kidding: Whatever I desired manifested out of thin air. I was a magnet for the experiences and connections I longed for. From the moment [...]

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14
May

Dripping rainbow watercolor painting by Ryan Stover

The Break That Broke Me Open (Highest Excitement Part 7)

I’m writing this email from the hospital. NOT where I expected to end up after following my inner compass toward what’s most alive. Yet, I’m seeing [...]

03
May

Watercolor painting of a figure bending backward by Ryan Stover

I Chose Joy… And Holy Rage Followed (Highest Excitement Part 6)

One week after I started the experiment of following my highest excitement – I found myself sitting on a bench in the sunshine, reflecting on all [...]

29
Apr

Ryan Stover painting at an easel outdoors next to a bicycle

I handed my life to a 5-year-old artist (Highest Excitement Part 5)

Hello Art Friend! It’s been a few days so I’m excited to catch you up on my life-experiment! As you know, I’ve been “following my highest [...]

25
Apr

Bright watercolor painting of blue flowers and orange leaves by Ryan Stover

Victory Hangover (Highest Excitement Part 4)

Monday I woke up with a hangover. No, not from drinking. (Do people still drink?) From the sustained physical and emotional energy of exclusively “following my [...]

22
Apr

Lion resting on a log with a cartoon RELAX speech bubble

I skipped my meetings to hang out with lions. 🦁 (Highest Excitement Part 3)

Hey Art Friend, As an artist and a life-long freelancer, it has always been my responsibility, and mine alone, to make sure I’m doing the right [...]

20
Apr

Watercolor painting of red flowers and blue leaves by Ryan Stover

Passion Over Productivity (Highest Excitement Part 2)

Hey again Art Friend! Yesterday was day 2 of my grand experiment. If you read day 1’s email you know that I stepped out of my [...]

18
Apr

Purple and blue watercolor tree painting by Ryan Stover

I’m Done Renting Permission (Highest Excitement Part 1)

Hey arty friend! 🎨✨ I made a bold decision this week: for the next fifteen days, I’m letting my highest excitement guide my day. Not obligations.Not [...]

17
Apr

Custom mountain sunset mural by Ryan Stover with a woman standing in front of it

The Magic Happens After the Mess

I want to challenge a nasty little lie — That if you’re good enough, it shouldn’t be hard. For the last two weeks, I worked on [...]

05
Apr

Ryan Stover painting watercolors at a table covered in paintings

Live Painting Reflections

I love painting LIVE in front of an audience… it’s a vulnerability test. Here’s a fact: most paintings don’t look ‘good’ until they have gone through [...]

18
Mar

Ryan Stover painting large watercolors on the floor

Art Medicine

On Friday, I found myself crying on my studio floor. Not because anything was wrong, but because I had just witnessed the ancient power of art. [...]

09
Mar

Abstract blue, orange and purple watercolor by Ryan Stover

Time flies when you’re in flow…

When I’m in front of a painting and things are clicking, I lose all awareness of time. I’m just there, witnessing paint flowing and transforming. When [...]

01
Nov