Sam Collins Day Ends at Gallery 101

When About Town first learned of the Collinsville Social Club, aka the Speakeasy, the expectation was that it would be a wonderfully, eclectic mix of artistic and musical diversity — Collinsville style. Couldn’t wait to go and report back.

Saturday’s Speakeasy at Gallery 101 Main, followed on the heels of Sam Collins Day. “In my opinion,” said owner Doug Tubach, “this was one of the better attended Sam Collins Day events. We were busy supporting the Canton Historical Museum’s `Old Time Photo’ event during the day."

"At the same time, we were hosting a crowd outside the Gallery who was watching emerging artist Ryan Christenson create a painting using only spray paints. We tried to roll that energy into an artist’s reception that followed and then keep it going with the Speakeasy later that evening.”

So at 3 p.m., on a busy street in Collinsville, multi-media artist Ryan Christenson set up his canvas and spray-paint cans. He donned a self contained air mask and spent the next hour or so creating a painting under the watchful eyes of very curious onlookers; many of whom were carefully positioning themselves to get a better look at the artistic process, while avoiding the fumes coming from the spray cans.

Now, these are not your mamma’s spray paints. They are imported from Europe. And, Christenson knows how to use them to their best effect.

About Town caught up with Christenson at the reception, later that evening, to discuss what it takes to bring street art into the mainstream, while keeping it cutting edge, fresh and surprising.

AT: How did you come to this art form?

RC: I’m a graffiti artist at heart. I started to develop an interest in this type of art at age 15. I was interested in how people think; how they express themselves. How people left their mark on society. How they connected with others.

AT: Are you self taught?

RC: I’m actually part of a pack of four to five artists/friends – the Hi Cru – who got me where I am today. I learned from them. They taught me everything. I would be no where near where I am without my brother artists.  

AT: Traditionally, when many people think of graffiti, they think of it as destructive not artful.

RC: I’ve always felt that I could be successful in a constructive way; that I could change the outlook for graffiti art from a negative to a positive.

AT: Tell me about the piece you created outside Gallery 101 this afternoon.

RC: It’s called, “Dazed.” It’s laid back, colorful, fun and focused. I created it as a special promotion for the show. I worked from a small graffiti design on paper, then just blew it up on to the canvas.

I can also work freestyle without any notes, just from my head. 

Inside Gallery 101, there is an amazing painting of a rose’s petals by Christenson.

AT: That painting of the rose petals was not done with spray paint.

RC: Yes it was! “The Rose” required four different shades of red, with a transparent color to lighten the shades. With spray paints, you start with the darker colors then build toward the lighter shades.

AT: So, what’s next? Then, next after that?

RC: I’m going to Orlando to attend a big graffiti jam for a spray paint company. I’d ultimately love to move to L.A and really get going. There is more access out there.

Shortly after speaking with Christenson, singer/songwriter Robert Fullerton emerged from the crowd at the reception, with his guitar. He sat down on a stool in the center of the Gallery, as if he was in the middle of a friend’s comfortable, art filled living room, and thus opened the Speakeasy.

After a bluesy cover of, “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone,” and a jazzy, “Drive My Car,” About Town asked MC Chris Sheehan what type of singer Fullerton considers himself. “What he is,” replied Sheehan, “is very, very good. He makes other people’s songs his own.”

As About Town left Gallery 101, Fullerton’s rich interpretation of, “All Along the Watch Tower” filled the room and echoed into the quiet street outside.

Surely even the stoic Sam Collins, who after all had the heart of an innovator, would have approved of the unique interpretations of art and music that would close his day.

Here’s the Deal

Gallery 101 Main, 101 Main St, Collinsville; 860-693-1785: www.gallery101main.com; doug@gallery101main.com.

Ryan Christenson; 860-866-7293: www.rcmurals.com; info@rcmurals.com.