Artist of the Month: Ryan Peloquin

By: Amber Ford, The Mountain Times

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if any local eyes have had the great pleasure to behold local artist Ryan Peloquin’s work, agreement would be met with a resounding “wow.” A resident of The Mt. Hood Villages for 14 years, Peloquin’s artistic talents began during his childhood and, with that desire and skill, he never looked back.

Born and raised in Forest Lake Minnesota, Peloquin relocated to Portland before arriving in The Mt. Hood Villages. An artist in every sense of the word with his many talents, Peloquin’s main focus is painting. “I’d say that I try to do art on many levels, but I am probably more of a painter in the traditional sense,” Peloquin said. “ I really like doing large scale pieces and murals. I feel like I always had that artist/drawing/painting bug since I was a little kid,” Peloquin added. Unlike some artists who let the artistic urge fester, Peloquin found ways, even as a child, to unleash his creativity. “I remember when I was young, I created a collection of comic book characters in elementary school, all based on animals,” Peloquin said. “The main guy was “The Acorn Avenger,” a chipmunk. He had a gang of friends of all animal species and they fought for the woods,” Peloquin added.

A natural in terms of his skill and talent, Peloquin credits his dedication to the craft to his early childhood education and the teacher who inspired him along the way. “What made me grow exponentially as an artist, and a person, was an amazing public school art teacher, Mrs. Nancy Pechmann,” Peloquin said. “She saw potential and inspiration where I didn’t at the time. She forced me to do the work, and that is something that still drives my art,” Peloquin added. A scholar in the work of great artists past, Peloquin finds inspiration through the works of Van Gogh and Dali, as well as comic books and Disney cartoons. With a wide range of experience unique and diverse inspirations, Peloquin shares those teachings through his own pieces. “I did a lot of live paintings for concerts and music festivals. That’s when I realized that the people and atmosphere play a huge part, especially in commissioned work,” Peloquin said. “Inspiration comes from the bold beauty we get to live in everyday, and the little details the world gives us,” Peloquin added.

Although Peloquin is known for his brush-to-canvas genius, other art forms have also found their way into his work. A practicing D.J. of nearly thirty years, Peloquin began using music as an art form when he was still in Minnesota. “I started in the rave/hip hop scene of Minneapolis in the 90s,” Peloquin said. “House music became my language because it always sang about love, and hope. I still play shows and practice this craft constantly,” Peloquin added. 

An artist true to the definition with his wide array of skill, talent, and mediums, Peloquin acknowledges how living in The Mt. Hood Villages has been vital to his creativity. “You can’t look around without being inspired,” Peloquin said. “This community drives inspiration to be better daily,” he added. With a love of community propelling him in his artistic world, Peloquin recently commissioned a mural which is now the showcase of Pub 26. “It is a great nod to the place we live, the critters we see, and the people we have lost along the way,” Peloquin said. 

I personally have had the great pleasure of watching Ryan perform one of his live paintings at a mutual friend’s house party, while another friend’s band played. Seeing his unwavering focus as the music inspired his colors, brushstrokes, and movements is a memory I’ll keep with me always. His dedication to his craft is not just profound in his creating visionary magic, but also his attention to detail in the most basic and, oftentimes, humbling of ways. “I feel like everybody is an artist. We just need to find the medium that speaks to us,” Peloquin said.