Connect Discover Learn

Share

Write Around PAM: Anne Ryan

November 29, 2020
Untitled, Anne Ryan, 11 ¾ x 15 ¾ inches, oil and charcoal on mounted board. A horizontal, rectangular painting featuring abstract brushwork and thick, textured paint application in brown, yellow, orange, blue, gray, and black. At the center are a grouping of narrow, vertical blocks of color. The orange, brown, and yellow areas are thickly and roughly painted with charcoal line patterns created on top of the paint. Two bright yellow vertical blocks have vertical black charcoal lines. Between the two yellow are a dark terracotta block and a deep muted burgundy block. To the left of this central grouping are two more terracotta shapes, one with diagonal charcoal stripes. At far right of the center grouping is a deep blue, almost black shape with flecks of red next to a thin brushstroke of dark paint with X markings made of charcoal. Beneath the vertical shapes are undulating black brush strokes that seem to bookend the central brushwork. Gray, white, and blue paintwork surround the central shapes blending into taupes and whites at the outer edges and top. Paint is applied thickly and creates a highly textured painting.

The winter chill has descended on much of Oregon, with cold rain, clouds, snow, and wind greeting us most days. Today we are finding some warmth and light in this piece by Anne Ryan. We invite you to take some time to write and reflect on the ways you are nurturing warmth and light in your days, literally and figuratively. Before or after you write, we invite you to learn more about Ryan’s work through the context of PAM’s Clement Greenberg Collection and these exhibitions at MoMA and the Met. 

We have two prompts to help you get started. As always, you can choose one, both, or write whatever else comes. Set a timer for 8 mins and just keep your pen moving.

In the morning light… / I feel warmest when…

Writing in community is powerful. We are grateful to our longtime partner Write Around Portland for the writing prompts and inspiration. You can revisit past Sunday posts and look for continuing weekly posts through the fall. Please share your work with us! @writearoundpdx @portlandartmuseum #RespectWritingCommunity #WriteAroundPAM 

View the work in our online collection

Anne Ryan, Untitled, 1940, oil and charcoal on canvas mounted on board, The Clement Greenberg Collection; Museum Purchase: Funds provided by Tom and Gretchen Holce, © 1940 Estate of Anne Ryan, 2001.1.134

More

charcoal oil on canvas partnerships Write Around PAM writing

Share

Related Content