Ed Ruscha-in-training
I recently stumbled onto the work of Ryan Jacob Smith, a young Portland-based artist whose influences include cub scouting, skateboarding, and old science textbooks. Formally trained at Pasadena’s esteemed Art Center College of Design, Smith works with spray paint, acrylics, wood, and found objects. 
He experiments with text and old-school profile portraiture in a way that makes me want to commission a piece as soon as I finish writing this post. I’ve been obsessed with Ed Ruscha’s work for years, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of familiarity when I saw Smith’s website. If you’re in Portland, check out his wall murals in rooms 404 and 322 at the new Ace Hotel (yes, we heart Ace at ReadyMade—if only every hotel could be as D.I.Y. and cool); for our New York-based readers, Smith will be part of a group show at the Cinders Gallery in Williamsburg next month.
