Evan Rystrom was born and raised in Saskatoon, Sk, Canada. He grew up on an acreage, close to Saskatoon. Like most kids, he spent a lot of time playing outdoors in his youth, and going for long walks on the family farmland. He has always been interested in art, and after graduating high school, went on to pursue that in university. He went to the University of Saskatchewan, receiving a BA in Art History. Besides from the academic studies, he continues to learn through online and community art classes.
Artist Statement:
In expressing my thoughts, emotions, and memories, I am drawn to images of abstractions. Sometimes these have aspects of landscapes or still-lifes. I am fascinated by the way we view the world around us. This ‘world’ can be the natural world we see in front of us, the memories of the world we keep within us, or the virtual worlds we experience through films and the internet. I am also interested in how our memories of things change over time, how some memories can be foggy yet remain the strongest and, in my mind, I sometimes feel like I carry the memories of both known and unknown artists that walked before me.
I attempt to express these feelings through shape, structure and colour. Every layer of paint is an evolution through time and space. Most of my paintings will start from sketches or some kind of reference photo. This helps with a starting point as layout and then gradually morphs into the lines that become the fulcrum of the finished work.
I sometimes start with blind contour drawings, or quick sketches. Often colours I want to use will already be in my mind, and with those, I mix them in different combinations to get either soothing or strange colours. I tend to think a lot about how I generally want the painting to look before I start painting, while also leaving it open to changes, and reactions to the marks that come from a place of memory. I think of shapes, structures and colours from my childhood and I think of shapes, structures and colours from the paths I tread now.
I am very inspired by streets, buildings, shadows and reflections. Trees, flowers, and water pull my attention. I love looking at other paintings, famous artworks coming to auctions, images people post online and the compositions that appear on screen. My love for all kinds of movies also play a role in inspiring the start of some paintings and when people look at the finished work, I hope they see these things through my eyes and through every stroke of my paintbrush.
Exhibitions:
2025-Oct. Solo show. Hues Art Supply. Saskatoon. SK
2024, 2025. Group show. Spark Your Pride. The Gallery – Art Placement. Saskatoon, SK
2023, 2025, Art auction. Body of Art – Saskatoon Sexual Health Biennial Online Art Auction. Saskatoon, SK.
2024, Group show. Spark Your Pride. The Gallery – Art Placement. Saskatoon, SK
2024, Group show. One Night Night Market. Style and Graze. Saskatoon, SK.
2023, Group show. Spark Your Pride. Western Development Museum. Saskatoon, SK.
2023, Group show. Queer Artistry. Midtown Studio Space. Saskatoon, SK.
2021, Solo show. Hue’s Art Supply. Saskatoon, Sk.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Art History, with distinction. University of Saskatchewan
Art Classes:
Hailey Weber, Acrylic, 2025
Anne McElroy, Abstraction, & Simplifying the Still Life, 2020/2022
Jean Dudley, Acrylic, 2019
Kim Ennis, Abstraction, 2018/2024
Clint Hunker, Drawing, 2012
Evan Rystrom 