Ryan Nichole Leary

\"My work is obnoxiously large and unapologetically black. For a breadth of people who are simultaneously hyper visible and invisible, how can these individuals consistently be ignored. My images capture the mystique of melanin and captivate the conscious of untold stories that society has deemed myths and fables. It is through my work, I hope to tell the truth of people of the African Diaspora; it is through my images, I intend to liberate us all.\" Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, visual artist Ryan Nichole Leary has been painting portraits of her culture for over 10 years. Her degree in art history opened up the opportunity for her to study the masters and learn their techniques. Along with inspiration from these masters techniques, she also notice the absence of the presence of people who looked like her. \"I feel that it is very important to tell our stories as well as debunk the myths of African Americans and people of African decent. The media paints the image that anything associated with Africa is negative. I am combating a system that is hell bent on portraying my ancestry as negative through my pieces.\" Leary believe that her paintings not only celebrate the beauty of her ancestry but displays the true narrative that even African Americans struggles with. \"Its critical that our stories be told.\" Leary is currently a working artist and art instructor at Butler College Prep in Chicago.