Collection: Ryan Kohler

Ryan Kohler is a Maine-based painter whose work explores the balance between representation and expressive mark-making. Based in Skowhegan, he holds a BA in Art from the University of Maine at Augusta, with a concentration in drawing.

Kohler is drawn to scenes through color, shape, and composition, often building dynamic arrangements with strong foregrounds and directional movement. While rooted in observation, his work moves beyond strict representation—embracing gesture, abstraction, and a sense of play.

In recent years, collage has become an integral part of his process. Incorporating materials such as maps, printed paper, and found elements, he builds layered surfaces that add both texture and narrative. This approach encourages a more intuitive way of working, where edges soften, forms shift, and the final image settles into what he describes as a “charmingly incorrect” interpretation of the subject.

Painting daily from his home studio, Kohler continues to evolve a body of work that feels energetic, tactile, and distinctly personal—inviting the viewer to engage with both the image and the process behind it.