top of page
Here's the story...

​What is Ryan's inspiration?​


Ryan Schmidt is inspired by everyday life. He loves to create and design with the impact of making this imagination into a realized form. The thought process starts with the idea and design using his creative imagination which are mostly influenced by modern contemporary in sweeping arcs consisting of curvilinear, sleek lines and elegant form. Schmidt’s concept of smooth arcs and curves in triangular form were highly inspired by the St. Louis Arch with his early passions for Origami, drawing, ceramics and printmaking. His drawings help sculpting dramatically defining his vision interpreted in a form of three-dimensional sculpture. The shapes and concepts conceived from his imagination are made visible with his combined skills, knowledge and experience accumulated through childhood. 

 

“My goal is to fully realize these concepts from the images in my mind, in a way that the sculpture is able to create a mood,” Schmidt said. “And then it changes in a moment with the season and in a completely seamless and natural manner.”

​What material does Ryan use to create his work?
​

Ryan works primarily in stainless steel. He started in painting and played with other types of medium. Although, he still does abstract and portrait paintings, he found sculpting to be a rewarding path. Ryan refined his creativity into sculptures with a growing passion for stainless steel. Many of his sculptures are regarded more as monuments, and grace public waterfronts, corporate headquarters and private estates worldwide. He has worked with cast aluminum and bronze, but relies on the everlasting virtues of high-grade stainless steel that is able to achieve its own graceful kind of organic energy. 

​

Stainless steel requires a lot of polishing to bring out its beauty and it is very labor intensive. However, it is worth the effort. Once it's polished, it can be out in the elements and it won't corrode, rust or lose its mirror-like quality while requiring minimum maintenance. Ryan has used other elements to further complement the elegant designs and form such as water, lights and landscape into his large freestanding pieces. Sizes, shapes, surfaces and materials change, but the basic concepts of good design remain constant. For his tabletop pieces, he has used granite, rocks and Italian marble bases. Watch Interview with Ryan Schmidt

​How long does a typical piece take to create?​
It depends on the size, material, finishing, and budget. For smaller pieces, it is minimum of at least 3-4 weeks depending on the season. For life size, it could take at least 2-4 months. Of course, the larger you go the more labor and materials are required. Ryan designs his own pieces but can also work with clients in customizing a sculpture to meet their specific needs. While receptive to new ideas, he also welcome the challenge of unique and unusual projects without limitations; working with ideas, discuss what is feasible, mocking up designs as a collaborative process until client is completely satisfied with the design before casting or cutting it in stainless steel sheets. Quality and satisfaction are the main focus.

What is the cost to build a sculpture? 
 

Our pricing point is based primarily on our value proposition. However, the purchase cost is also impacted on multiple factors controlled by the current art market and demand for a particular style of sculpture and medium. For the purpose of base pricing, we determine cost by stylistic variables, physical characteristics, size and weight – the larger the sculpture is, the more labor intensive it is, and more materials and other costs needed; complexity that affects the fabrication and finishing; cost and time; choice and availability of raw materials. Other factors such as installation, lighting, color, base/stand for the piece are also considered. Greater degrees of technical difficulty, balance and composition also affects production time and cost of raw materials.​

​​

​What is Ryan's competitive advantage?

​

  • Experience and Skills. 

    • For nearly two decades of experience as a Sculptor/ Fine Artist, diversified craftsmanship skills working with various metals such as steel, stainless steel, bronze, brass, aluminum, also including plastic and wood.

    • Specialized skills in fabrication, casting and finishing that only artisans with years’ experience and extensive knowledge are capable of handling it.

    • Project management and experience in collaborating with landscape designers and architects, interior designers, engineers, installers and other individuals or groups involved in the process.

    • Ryan is well-versed in every single steps involved in completing a project; from ordering materials ensuring the finest quality all the way through delivery and installation. His extensive experience in operating heavy equipments and complicated tools is definitely advantageous.

​

  • Product Knowledge.

    • Materials used and the techniques employed in the creation are free form and varies to match the clients need or edition design.

    • Uses the highest-grade material that has excellent resistance to corrosion and low maintenance.  This makes the pieces last for many years.

    • Original artworks and edition pieces are limited and unique which increases the value, demand and exclusivity in the artwork.

​

  • Quality and service

    • Focusing on quality not quantity to achieve the client's and the public's satisfaction. 

Photo by Chris Warren. Ryan Schmidt finishing welds for the commissioned Stainless Steel Sculpture Ring of Fire.

​What does Ryan hope to achieve with his work?


Ryan hopes for the public to enjoy his works of art allowing people space to interact with the sculpture, share his gift of inspiration, talent and abilities with the intention of captivating the viewer by the craftsmanship, spirit, and beauty in each piece. His mission is to provide those who experience his artwork with an enhanced sense of how constructed beauty can interplay with the natural world, our sense of aliveness, and be poetic and fluid in conversation with what we see as static or constant; and to share the gift of inspiration through reflection with the passion for stainless steel. He also desire to build sculptures that will last for many generations to come. 

Photo by Robert App, Artprize 9, Tango Sculpture at Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids, MI

bottom of page