Artist Ryan Jason Allen Willert

We cover a lot of subjects on this here website. It might be an outdoor adventure one day, something with a history connection the next and on yet another we might show you one of our strange obsessions (Boler!), but every once in while we dabble in the lifestyle/human interest genres. With that we chronicle a person or people who are fascinating in some way, those who do things different no matter the endeavour, folks with personality or a soul that simply inspires.

Admittedly, this takes us outside our comfort zone, but to grow and learn one needs to challenge self. And we’re just so fascinated by so many things – hope you are too – so it all fits.

Here, it’s an example of what we just spoke of, an uncomplicated “be a spectator” piece when were spend an afternoon with a most incredible artisan we befriended some years back and just watch. Can’t get much simpler, nor more wonderful.

Introducing Ryan Jason Allen Willert, First Nation’s Artist. We spend time in his studio/apartment and later together we hit the streets. It’s brush and easel and paint, canvas and mural. We’re witness to a passion seemingly limitless, a talent unbridled, a confidence quiet and humble and a caring spirit set on making some kind of difference in this world. It’s moving, uplifting and is a great honour. Scroll down and get to know him a wee bit…

An afternoon with artist Ryan Jason Allen Willert.

Ryan is his mid-30s, born in Innisfail Alberta and raised there and in nearby Red Deer, where he currently resides today. Of blended heritage, Indigenous Father, Caucasian Mother, later with his parents separated, a Step Father came on the scene for a time. Out of that came two half sisters and a half brother.

We simply stand back, observe and soon are in awe.

Art has been in his mind since a youngster but he started getting serious about the time he was in Junior High. “When I should have been doing homework I was doing art…I hated homework.” (Chris here: I’ll second that!)

Seen here, his father.

Ryan left homes in his teens, was in and out of foster care and was no stranger to trouble. Later his Father, Richard, came back into his life and from this Ryan learned to hone his skills as an artist and appreciate his Indigenous roots. It’s always good to know from what you are made and from where you came. Between creating, Ryan would be out selling his creations where ever he could, be it at a street market or online.

Magic happens in a small apartment.

Sun Dancer leader and educator Pablo Russel has been a big inspiration and teacher over the last three years. Learning is a long journey, in fact one that never ends, but once down that path the appetite becomes insatiable and (hopefully) leads you in a positive direction. Ryan takes a great interest, and pride, in his culture and its history and has since become an educator himself. Celebrate those who came before and it’ll lead you home.

Little details…

For the last three years Ryan has been able to make a full time income from his art. Some appears on calendars, in colouring books, there’s his work on canvas available at art outlets or shows and there’s vast murals to be found on the side of some building or in the halls of any number of schools. When creating for the latter, a talk is given to the students and inspiration is drawn from this. He’s got many mural projects currently on the go with more on the horizon.

And the accolades.

Inspiration for his creations come from many sources. It might be from those he was taught, those who he teaches, his own life experience, the good things, the times of chaos and all things between. On the wall at Ryan’s place, newspaper clippings and magazine articles about him and his work.

Many projects on the go.

Ryan hopes to inspire others via his art and teachings. “Be kind to themselves and others and educate.” No words have ever said it better. We’re on this blue marble for but a moment so let’s make something good of it and when we leave the world is better for us having been on it. Even if by a hair, it’s worth a Herculean effort to do so. It’s very much our take on the world too.

Connie, in spite of health issues, is hard at work too.

And so we shadow Ryan as he goes about his day. He notices us not and with that comes photos showing a person’s real and honest side. The concentration, the pride. Later, we’d head into downtown, the raw and grittier side things, and watch as he works on a mural at a place called “Turning Point”, where those with dependencies or troubled lives goes for support and counselling. All those bright colours brightening the day for the downtrodden can only do good. These nasty habits are an ugly demon so overpowering and near impossible to defeat, and so signs of love and care like this are most welcome. Underfoot it’s the things castoff by those who themselves are castoffs, litter that speaks of the addiction, discarded booze bottles and needle wrappers. Those poor broken folks.

Tools of the trade – her shot.

Ryan takes us to second mural he did not far away. It’s “Blackfoot Teachings and Healings” about the journey one must take on the road to betterment. He speaks of its creation and the hopes that it touches, and therefor helps, someone. Even it’s but a single person. And we come away knowing, it’s not about the glory or fame for Ryan. Not for a second. How we’ve seen this play out says otherwise. Do something good and you’ll be at peace and so shall others. That’s the message here.

Lost in his work.

Later, in support of Connie and her fight with Cancer, it’s a pipe ceremony. It’s is an intimate and private affair, a time for prayer and meditation from which comes strength, courage and understanding. So many people, the world over have sent love and prayer for Connie and for that we’re both touched and truly grateful. This was just one event that help maker her a fighter.

The tiny painter approves.

Thanks to Ryan for allowing us into his world, if but for a moment. Hope you found it an amazing experience as we did. And now we realize, we ourselves are a tad better for it.

Recommended…
Goin’ Waydowntown – a seriously strange all-indoor hike.
Midfield Park Massacre – remains of a fight lost.
Scenes of a Modern Farm – as (not) seen in many major publications.
Soul Work – fly on the wall at a Cable Access show.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: September, 2018.
Location: Red Deer, AB.
Article references and thanks: Ryan Jason Allen Willert.

A dab of this colour…

Many shades.

A gentle confidence…

The mighty Buffalo is a recurring theme.

A sketch found.

He notices us not.

In the ethereal light.

Your author banished to the outside.

Later, a mural takes form in downtown Red Deer.

At “Turning Point”.

Ultra wide lens distorts the scene.

The boldest of colours.

Down the street…

A plain old wall brought to life.

Here, it’s the gritty side of town.

A splash of colour in a sometimes drab world.

A few blocks away, a mural completed & a quiet pride.