About
David Curtis Ryan is a self-taught craftsman based in Northern California. His work is inspired by combining what he observes in nature and the industrial world. He is passionate about keeping his methods simple, often using materials in new and different ways to create his masterpieces. With over 30 years of experience in woodworking, home renovation, set design, and construction, David brings engineering and structural functionality to his work while incorporating a modern aesthetic.
Raised in upstate New York and influenced by the beauty of the Adirondacks, David was encouraged to create at an early age by his engineer/artist father. David's early work involved using various materials found in and around his childhood home. At eight, he created his first metal sculpture, a motorcycle made from spooled copper wire, which is still on display in New York today.
Educated in visual art, David received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Cinema from The Ohio State University. Even before graduating, he began working in the film industry as a lighting technician. From there, his artistic and engineering passion soon focused on set design and construction. David co-founded Curtis-Elliot Designs Ltd, a set design business that has operated for more than 30 years. David designed and built sets for film, television, museums, and special events while adding to his art portfolio, including walking canes, furniture, clocks, stained glass windows, and lamps.
David was introduced to MIG welding when working on the movie The Hudsucker Proxy. Given a challenge for a film scene and a few minutes of welding training, he made what was needed for the film in just a few hours. The fluidity and immediacy of working with metals intrigued David and sparked his interest in creating art with metal, a medium he focuses on today.
In 2008, David retired from the set design and film industry to stay home full-time and raise his daughter. With his studio in Northern California, David has expanded his work in metal art to include one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures, which he often incorporates into his custom home renovations.
One of his metal sculptures of rock climbers was constructed with railroad spikes and inspired by other sculptures of climbers. With his own variations, he created a beloved piece that now resides in Northern California.
Inspired by his wife's love of the animal, David's most recent 150-pound moose sculpture is one of his most ambitious projects. Employing 2200 nails, 225 feet of rebar, and antlers spanning six feet, the outcome is an incredible replica of the Canadian Moos,e which is now on display in a private home in Santa Cruz, California.
David's curiosity and love of working with his hands and solving structural challenges have made him the artist he is today. David and his family currently split their time between their home in Santa Cruz, California, and the outdoor playground of Park City, UT.
David is available for commissioned work and continues to create new and different pieces representing the outdoors from a modern perspective.