Atlanta artist Ryan Yan, aka Xiao, creates abstract balanced-chaos paintings

On the “City Lights” series “Speaking of Art,” local artists share insights into their influences, processes and experiences in town. This edition focuses on Ryan Yan, also known by his artist name Xiao. He is a modern abstract painter. “I see myself as a storyteller and a translator. I use quite a bit of random, but also balanced with deliberate emotions on canvas…different colors, marks, speed, intensity, to tell stories and express mood and convey tone,” said Yan.

Yan’s curious nature is what inspired him to start painting. After looking for original artwork to display in his home and seeing the hefty price tags, he decided to purchase some art supplies and create his own pieces.

“It’s something that I’ll never forget the feeling I got when I was painting; it made me feel like a child again, and I was smiling and laughing and just having a great time,” said Yan