ARTIST STATEMENT
The natural world fascinates me. In another life I may have been a zoologist, biologist or astronomer. I see all living things as equals, deserving of respect and compassion. At different points in my life I have felt connections to different animals- I have a well-loved koala bear stuffy that I was given when I was 3; My mom’s obsession with cows in the early 90’s manifested as kitchen decor in my home growing up. Animals are also a popular subject among my young students, and seemed a natural place to look for inspiration. I am particularly enamored with animals’ faces and the way they express their emotions just like people. In my paintings I try to capture the attitude or affect of each subject. The more I observe, research and explore my subjects, the more I understand how much humanity takes advantage of, and takes for granted, these creatures with whom we share, not only our home, but our ability to nurture and care for each other, and our capacity for learning and love. My goal is to shift the relationship between the viewer and the subject from one of observation to one of kinship.
ARTIST BIO
Native Chicago artist and art teacher Shana Ryback currently resides in the northern suburbs. She has been teaching Visual Art in elementary and middle schools in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs for over 25 years. She received her BFA in Art Education from the University of Illinois, where she first majored in Painting, and later transferred to Art Education to combine her love of creating art and working with children. She earned her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, researching ways to create a more authentic studio experience for her students. After taking a step back from personal artmaking to focus on teaching and raising her family, she recommitted herself to her own art in 2025, with the goal of scratching that creative itch and doing what she has been preaching to her students for years- PRACTICE!
© Shana Ryback