Recovery

Ryan Avery is a self-taught artist who primarily works with acrylics and mixed media. Creative from a young age, much of his childhood was spent drawing. As an adult, painting has become an essential part of Ryan’s journey with mental illness - offering both expression and release.

Many of Ryan’s artworks reflect his personal experiences with mental illness, with nature often emerging as a central theme. For him, the natural world has played a vital role in recovery, serving as both inspiration and a reminder that beauty can be found even in life’s most difficult moments.

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This painting features a broken teacup, repaired using the Japanese art of Kintsugi, to represent my experiences living with complex PTSD and bipolar disorder. In the early stages of my journey, I often felt broken - like recovery wasn’t possible. I created this piece as a testament to my healing and the strength I’ve discovered along the way. It serves as a reminder that there is beauty even in the dark and difficult moments, and that wholeness can be found not in perfection, but in resilience.