“Shapes Gradient” (#SHAPESGRADIENT)
Exploration of color, balance, and time with pigment paint on natural canvas.
“The current painting series by Ryan Alexandre Snow titled "Shapes Gradient" explores the realms of visual space, time, and balance through monochromatic shapes of color on natural canvas. With a seamless blend of abstract minimalism and organic textures, each painting invites viewers on a reflective journey of inner peace. Within this meditative series, Ryan masterfully orchestrates the interplay of minimal repeating elements, balancing form and layering, color and gradient. Through his intuitive brushstrokes, he captures the fluidity of motion, creating a suspended sense of time where past, present, and future converge. With this body of work he also commits an environmental focus on source materials including making his own paint from earth pigments collected near and far with local foraged ochres from the mountains of Ojai to traditional indigos from Japan.”
Pigment Paint on Raw Canvas.
Exploration of color, balance, and time with hand made water based paint on natural canvas.
The current painting series by Ryan Alexandre Snow titled "Shapes Gradient" explores the realms of visual space, time, and balance through monochromatic shapes of color on natural canvas. With a seamless blend of abstract minimalism and organic textures, each painting invites viewers on a reflective journey of inner peace. Within this meditative series, Ryan masterfully orchestrates the interplay of minimal repeating elements, balancing form and layering, color and gradient. Through his intuitive brushstrokes, he captures the fluidity of motion, creating a suspended sense of time where past, present, and future converge. With this body of work he also commits an environmental focus on source materials including making his own paint from earth pigments collected near and far with local foraged ochres from the mountains of Ojai to traditional indigos from Japan.
Acrylic on Raw Canvas, Bees Wax Finish
Exploration of color and shape, how it penetrates the eye and informs the space around it. Inspired by the minimalism movement in the early 60’s that is rooted in the reductive aspects of modernism, this series examines geometric abstraction with clean shapes of color on raw canvas.
Medium Format, 35mm, Polaroid Film, Digital Media
I am particularly drawn to the timeless quality of black and white film photography, which allows me to convey the essence of the natural world in a way that is both raw and refined.
By using minimal shapes of color overlaid onto my black and white photographs, I seek to create a subtle interplay between reality and zen space. These pops of color are carefully chosen to complement the organic elements of the nature image. I believe that my approach to photography offers a unique perspective on the beauty of nature, one that is both timeless and contemporary.
Ultimately, my goal is to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of the world around them, and to see the magic that can be found in even the simplest of natural scenes. Through my art, I hope to encourage a deeper connection with nature, and a greater appreciation for the power and beauty that surrounds us every day.
Artist Statement
Ryan Alexandre Snow – CUMULUS HUMILIS
The series CUMULUS HUMILIS reflects an enduring fascination with the ephemeral beauty of the natural world and its profound ability to evoke emotion, inspire wonder, and shape human experience. Focusing on cumulus clouds—unassuming yet essential elements of the Earth's small water cycle—this body of work positions these transient formations as symbols of renewal, equilibrium, and interconnectedness.
Cumulus clouds, often associated with freedom and tranquility, possess an extraordinary capacity to transcend the everyday. They remind us of the infinite interplay between light, air, and water that sustains life on Earth while simultaneously offering moments of personal reflection and joy. Historically celebrated in art, literature, and mythology, these clouds embody both the sublime grandeur of nature and its fleeting, fragile beauty.
Through a meticulous photographic process, I seek to capture the delicate interplay of light and atmosphere that defines these forms. The images embrace subtle gradations of color and texture, inviting viewers to engage with the dynamic yet meditative presence of the sky. By isolating these clouds within their expansive environments, the series accentuates their sculptural qualities and underscores their poetic resonance.
CUMULUS HUMILIS aspires to reframe these common yet miraculous natural phenomena as objects of contemplation—reminding us of their ecological significance and their capacity to inspire awe. This series is a celebration of nature’s quiet gifts, urging us to reconnect with the rhythms and patterns that shape our shared environment and our sense of wonder.
Artist Statement
Ryan Alexandre Snow – MOSTLY SUNNY, PARTLY CLOUDY
This series delves into the intersection of atmospheric science, aviation technology, and climate engineering, examining how contrails—those delicate yet persistent streaks of ice crystals left by jet engines—are quietly reshaping the balance of solar energy on Earth.
Contrails, short for "condensation trails," form when water vapor and particulates from jet exhaust condense and freeze at high altitudes. Under specific atmospheric conditions, these contrails can expand into cirrus clouds, which linger for hours or even days, creating diffuse blankets of ice crystals. These artificial cirrus clouds are not merely aesthetic phenomena—they disrupt the Earth’s natural energy balance in ways that are both measurable and consequential.
Studies from NASA and other research institutions reveal that contrail-induced cirrus clouds act as an unintentional form of geoengineering. These clouds trap longwave infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, effectively warming the planet, while simultaneously reflecting shortwave solar radiation back into space. This dual effect—commonly referred to as "radiative forcing"—can result in localized cooling during the day but exacerbates overall global warming by reducing the amount of heat that escapes into space.
The problem intensifies with the increase in global air traffic. As contrails merge and persist, they create extensive cloud cover that dims the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. This phenomenon, sometimes called "global dimming," has profound implications for the biosphere. Solar radiation is essential for photosynthesis, the process that drives life on Earth, and reductions in sunlight impact plant growth, crop yields, and the ecosystems that depend on them.
Moreover, the chemical composition of jet fuel emissions complicates the issue. Aviation exhaust contains a cocktail of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and sulfur compounds. These emissions not only contribute to contrail formation but also alter atmospheric chemistry, influencing ozone levels and further affecting the climate.
Some view these effects as an unintended form of geoengineering, while others point to emerging discussions about purposeful climate interventions, such as Solar Radiation Management (SRM). SRM techniques, including aerosol dispersal to reflect sunlight, share similar principles with the mechanisms by which contrails alter solar radiation. However, SRM is fraught with risks, from unpredictable weather disruptions to ethical questions about intentionally manipulating the climate system.
The cirrus clouds formed from contrails in MOSTLY SUNNY, PARTLY CLOUDY serve as visual metaphors for this uneasy relationship between human activity and natural systems. They are a testament to the profound yet invisible ways we influence the planet. In documenting these clouds, I aim to shed light on the delicate balance of solar energy affecting all systems and the unintended consequences of human progress.
With this black and white film photography series capturing California skies under solar radiation management, I aim to explore the intersection of human intervention and natural landscapes. Solar radiation management, a controversial geoengineering technique, seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change by reflecting sunlight back into space. Through my lens, I examine the consequences of this intervention on the ethereal beauty of California's skies.
In each frame, I seek to evoke a sense of duality - the stark contrast between the natural world and human intervention. The timeless medium of black and white film allows me to strip away distractions, inviting viewers to contemplate the intricate dance between light and shadow in these altered skies.
By documenting these moments, I invite reflection on our role as stewards of the Earth. How do we balance the need for intervention with the preservation of natural beauty? Can we truly control nature, or are we merely temporary custodians of a complex and delicate ecosystem?
Through this series, I hope to spark dialogue and introspection about the future of our planet and our responsibility to protect its wonders. As we navigate the challenges of a changing climate, may these images serve as a reminder of the power and fragility of the world around us.
Polaroid photography of iconic Los Angeles summer heat waves. Shot with the Polaroid SX-70 on vintage TZ Artistic, a limited edition film designed by Paul Giambarba.
Polaroid photography of Corsica France. Shot with the Polaroid SX-70 on vintage TZ Artistic, a limited edition film designed by Paul Giambarba.
This series was featured in Urban Hardwoods showrooms in San Francisco, West Hollywood and national advertising campaign.
Los Angeles Architecture
Shot with Fuji Instant Color Film
This series continues to explore contrails and clouds using Midjourny Ai art bot with variations of the prompt:
imagine/ contrails in the sky that persist and spread, eventually forming cirrus clouds and diffusing the suns radiation.
