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Ryan, I know how extremely busy you are, so I’m very grateful you took time for this interview.

Ryan: No problem at all. There’s always some downtime with 3D art while waiting for something to render.

Your pictures, whether they’re of pyro technics or simply of pumpkins, always are infused with a mythic quality. I've heard it said that true art allows us to see familiar things with fresh eyes, and that’s what I’ve noticed about your images. It’s not the software that accounts for this, it’s you. To what do you attribute this special ability or vision? Are you conscious of it?

Ryan: I think there's incredible beauty all around us all the time, no matter where we are, but we are usually too busy to stop and recognize it. It’s hidden in plain sight. I try to capture this “hidden” beauty in my work; whether it is a leaf falling into water, light streaming through branches, or just a snowy day. I’ve always been one to stop and admire a sunset and I guess that comes through in my images.

I know how you got started, which reminds me of another inspirational story (the one about the two natives from the Amazon who found a guitar in the jungle one day, taught themselves how to play, and went on to become world famous classical recording stars), but I won’t get into that. :-) Please, for the benefit of those who may not yet know, could you describe how you first became interested in art?

Ryan: I haven’t heard the story of the Amazon natives, but my story sounds very similar. I’ve always fancied myself a storyteller. As a child I told my stories by drawing them (usually in class when I should have been minding the teacher). I moved away from drawing as I grew a little older. For whatever reason I just didn’t, and still don’t, have the manual dexterity to create pleasing art with just my hands.

Instead I turned to writing to tell my stories. I hardly drew a thing during my teenage years, but I wrote thousands of pages of fiction and poetry (most of it terrible I’m sure). I dreamed of becoming a professional fiction writer and studied English and writing at the University of Iowa.

I received my first computer as a graduation present from my Mother back in 1994. I was supposed to use it to compose my first novel, but I found myself having more fun with the preloaded graphics software (much like your Amazonians discovering their guitar). Finally it seemed I could create pleasing artwork (and tell visual stories) without having to rely on my clumsy hands.

My friends seemed to enjoy my early digital doodles, and that encouraged me to try more. I discovered that it was much easier to get feedback for my visual work than it was to get folks to read my writing (a picture is worth a thousand words after all).

It seemed natural to design images to be used as desktop wallpaper, because the images would always be on display.

After a few years I had enough images collected to start a web gallery.

I know of many talented artists who became successful and then opened a web site, but I think you’re the only one who became famous and successful through his web site. I’d love to hear how you developed the confidence to leave a well-paying job and devote yourself entirely to making wallpaper.

Ryan: I didn’t start the website as a commercial venture. It actually came about because I needed to learn HTML for my resume. In early 1997 I was in the middle of trying to get my Computer Science degree. I had gone to a job interview and had been asked if I knew HTML. When I told them the truth (I didn’t know HTML at the time) I lost the job.

I decided the best way to learn would be to create my own website, and it seemed like a good idea to create an online gallery of my collected wallpapers. That’s how “Digital Blasphemy” was born in February 1997. I had come up with the name to describe the feeling of “playing god” that I got from creating worlds using my computer.

I did try to get people to look at my works. I posted my wallpapers at various software download sites (like Windows95.com and even on AOL) and slowly but surely people started seeing my work. The positive feedback I received encouraged me to keep updating my site. The more popular my work became, the more energy I put into the site and into creating more work.

By 1999 I had received my Comp Sci degree and I was working a full time job as a web programmer. I was also working full time on my web site (which was around 10,000 visitors per day at that time). I was working myself ragged and decided that I would either work full time as a programmer and give up my web site or I would try to make a living with my artwork.

At the time it didn’t seem like such a dangerous decision. Programmers were in demand I thought I could always get a decent job if my website didn’t pay the bills. Luckily it all worked out and this has been my primary job for the past 7 years.

I do think it is easier to make a living as a “wallpaper artist” on the web than it would be to make a living being a regular digital artist. After all, wallpaper is art that people can actually use on a day to day basis.

You’ve mentioned elsewhere that your primary tool is Lightwave. Why did you settle on Lightwave, rather than, say, Maya or 3D Studio Max, or some other software?

Ryan: One of my artistic idols early on was a man by the name of Eric Holbrook and he had made some stunning works using Lightwave. That probably influenced my decision more than anything else.

Back in 1999 I needed to upgrade my 3D modeling software and I didn’t have thousands of dollars to do it. I settled on a package called “Inspire3D” from Newtek. Basically it was “Lightwave Lite”. Some time later I upgraded to Lightwave 5 and I’ve been using it ever since.

How much time is required for each picture?

Ryan: It varies from image to image. It can take anywhere from a couple of days to over a week. It all depends on how much modeling I have to do and how complex the render. I usually take a few days off between images to recharge my batteries.

Can you give a brief overview of your technique or approach?

Ryan: That would be hard. I don’t usually have a concrete idea when I start on a project. I don’t do any pre-viz sketches. I usually just start modeling or working on the background and the ideas build from there. It’s not very much different from when I was kid drawing out stories in class.

People are always asking me to do tutorials showing how I created a particular image but I don’t think I should hold up my technique as anything to be emulated. I’m sure there are more efficient ways to create art, but it works for me.

Do you have a personal favorite or sentimental favorite?

Ryan: I love them all (like children), but when pressed I have to admit that my favorite is an image called “Haiku”.

What is it about "Haiku" that makes it stand out from the rest?

Ryan: The image depicts an autumn leaf lighting on the surface of a pond. I think the title fits perfectly; expressing a grand story (the cycle of the seasons) in a simple image.

I spend a lot of time trying to think of an appropriate title for an image. It’s always the last thing I do before I post the image online and it can take hours (usually just sitting there and staring at my screen).

What are you working on currently?

Ryan: I’m working on a day time version of my latest wallpaper called “The Vault.”
I like to do day and night versions of certain scenes.

That's interesting. Not every artist is motivated to do that. Why do you like to create day and night versions? Is that an Iching thing? :-)

Ryan: If I were a painter, I probably wouldn’t bother. Using 3D software, however, it is relatively simple to change a scene from night to day. The geometry is already created and in place. I just need to adjust the lighting and atmosphere.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Ryan: From things I see in every day life; taking walks, reading books, watching films, even playing the odd video game. I’m always looking for inspiration. Once I was inspired to do an abstract by noticing the lattice pattern on a light bulb.

I just try to keep my eyes open.

What do you think is the future of computer wallpaper?

Ryan: I think eventually the images will be animated, but that is probably a few years away.

Animated wallpaper is available today, but it’s either swirling colors (a la Drempels) or animated elements on top of static imagery (animated butterflies in a static forest for example). Animating images like mine would require more processing power than I think people are willing to use.

With RSS feeds and dynamic web content, there’s always the prospect that people will want their desktop to be “information only”. I hope there will always be people who want artwork of some kind on their desktop.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

Ryan: People are always asking me how to make a living from doing art. I think the less concerned you are about making money, the better your chances of being a successful professional artist. Worry about creating good art, not about how to
get rich.

I would also stress that being a good artist takes a lot of time and practice. A lot of the people who write me for advice seem to want me to show them how to get where I am now in 3 easy steps. It’s just not possible. Each image I created (and I’ve done hundreds of them) brought me one step closer to where I am today. There aren’t any shortcuts.

Lastly, I would remind aspiring artists to always keep their eyes open. Inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places.

Any parting words?

Ryan: Thanks for giving me this opportunity. It was fun!

Thank you for taking the time. I’m sure a lot of people here at Innertraveler enjoyed learning about you and your work, and will want to visit your web site to see more of your beautiful wallpapers. I personally can recommend the very reasonably priced subscription program. Your images still often grace my own desktop. :-)