Mark Ryden

Born 1963, LA-based Mark Ryden is a contemporary artist known for his "pop surrealism" art. Graduated from Art Center College of Design Pasadena, he has had various exhibitions globally and his artworks were used in two of Stephen King's novels. Most of Ryden's artwork features a cherubic, wide-eyed girl interacting with the strangest of subjects like meat, blood, raggedy dolls and fantasy animals. His paintings synthesizes the old masters' painting techniques, pop subjects and cryptic messages - as a result, a cross between traditional and modernity. I do like surrealism, but I must admit I don't always get his messages. Nevertheless, I really do like his work

Ryden, "Incarnation", 2009, oil on panel

Ryden, "Slayer", 1999, oil on panel

Ryden, "The Creatix", 2005, oil on canvas

Ryden, "The Piano Player, 2010, oil on canvas

Ryden, "Tree of Life", 2006, oil on canvas

Ryden, "Virgin and Child", 2010, oil on canvas

Ryden, "Girl In Fur Skirt", 2008, oil on canvas

Mark Ryden, in his LA studio

All images sourced from his website, which features an amazing gallery of his works