SCOPE Miami 2017
BOOTH C15
December 5th – December 10th
The narrative, often mischievous world of Omar Rayyan bridges the gap between reality and imagination through traditionally styled oil paintings akin to Renaissance Masters. A lingering sense of familiarity beckons us through these whimsical tales of friendship and folly as Rayyan depicts both folkloric, human and animal subjects intermingling in baroque settings. Classical poses and portraits are met with humor and wit as tales from our childhood come to life for us all over again and tug at our hearts and minds once more.
ABOUT Omar Rayyan
Upon graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, Omar Rayyan settled on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with his wife Sheila. The bucolic surroundings compliment and help inspire his “old world” aesthetic toward painting. He enjoys looking to the past for inspiration and guidance from the great oil painters of the Northern Renaissance and the Romantic and Symbolist painters of the 19th century. Having created illustrations for many publishers, including Simon & Schuster, Random House and Hyperion/Disney, Omar’s primary market was geared towards children’s and young adult’s magazine and books, doing cover and interior illustrations. He also illustrated several children’s picture books. Other genres he has worked in include the gaming market, most notably for Magic: The Gathering, where he has done card art and concept work. Omar was also among the talented artists who contributed concept art and created the look for the motion picture “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” Currently Omar’s attention has been leaning more towards creating paintings of whim and fantasy made to indulge his own personal tastes and humors, doing work for private art collectors and galleries. Rayyan credits the “timeless scenarios” of Martha’s Vineyard with fueling his imagination and making it possible for him to forget what century he’s living in.
