INTERVIEW: Ryan Callisto

Ryan Callisto is a professional artist based in Laguna Beach, and has called California home for the majority of his life.

…with 3 colors and make it pop art style. It worked. I loved the colors. So I went deep diving into the colors that feel like they should be together. Pink, purple and black? Let’s do it. I like how the opposite colors really compliment one another.

Tell us about your experience as an artist?
I spent most my life watching my mother paint. She had insane work ethic. She painted daily. As did her mother. I’m a third generation professional artist. But I did not start out doing art as a working adult. I’ve worked with Autisic Adults for many years. Then worked in the Drug Rehab world for a long time. When my two youngest were born, back to back, 13 months apart, my wife and I found ourselves basically both hands on deck constantly. That’s when I left the Case Management world. I actually sold off my own art collection and money was gone. My wife, Sophia said “why don’t you paint then?” (Dude, I had not painted anything for 10-15 years at that point!). So I painted a painting everyday for 16 days and each one sold. On the 17th day I kept rocking. It didn’t sell. But I found that I paid the bills for our three daughters and ourselves in less time then being gone constantly working. That was 2018. I’ve barely missed a day painting since.

You have a very specific style – tell us about how this came about?
What’s interesting about that is my first 2-3 years painting I did solely watercolor work. I love it so much. That’s what my mom did mostly too. Then the day of the Covid lockdown I decided to paint with 3 colors and make it pop art style. It worked. I loved the colors. So I went deep diving into the colors that feel like they should be together. Pink, purple and black? Let’s do it. I like how the opposite colors really compliment one another.

Do you have a personal favourite piece?
I don’t have a favorite piece. I do get better feeling from some than others. Really I just want to add color to a world that deserves more color. And all my work is for sale. So I try and make each next piece my next fav. That way folks get something that has love and commitment involved in it.

You ride any boards?
I do skate and surf and bodyboard. I skied a ton in my life as well. It’s my fav thing. Board riding. I’m not the best these days at it. But I’m trying to show my girls the love for it as we speak, so I mean to get out more again. We live in a beach town. So we get the chance to.

What are your top 5 bands?