Hi, I’m Ryan Forsythe. I’m a writer, editor, artist, and dad originally from Cleveland, though now I make my home in the woods of O’Brien, Oregon.

I’ve been studying writing for some time and recently completed an M.F.A. in creative writing at San Diego State, where I also served as Associate Editor with Fiction International, the literary journal of formal innovation and social activism.

My writing is often focused on the offbeat and experimental in both form and content. In fact, the subtitle of my first novel will tell you a little about my styles and interests. Dick Cheney Saves Paris: A Personal and Political Madcap Sci-Fi Meta- Anti- Novel. It was released the same day as Dick Cheney’s own novel—er, memoir (though I’d wager mine is a bit more fun to read).

I also enjoy photography and graphic design, particularly book design. As publisher of Left Fork Books, I’ve designed 10 books so far, including a doodle book celebrating the Illinois Valley, where I live (available at select locations in the IV).

I also create "Slugdalas" —banana slug mandalas, of course! While living in Redwood National Park, I noticed my photographs of the trees did not do such a good job conveying their size and majesty. I turned my attention to something considerably smaller—banana slugs. Through manipulating the images (and not the slugs—no slugs are harmed in the making of Slugdalas), the mandala that results provides an interesting mix of the natural and the abstract.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit leftfork.org and/or ryanforsythe.com. Thanks!

I am a Designer and Builder, or in modern terms, a “maker.”

I have worked professionally designing and creating a wide variety of things -- from houses, stage sets and scenery for Grand Opera to wedding dresses, posters and dance costumes. I’ve used a chain saw to form large sculptures, made furniture, painted literally acres of faux marble, patterned dresses and painted signs.

To me, it is all about color and composition. Whether it’s creating a whole environment or merely a piece of jewelry, what matters is the emotional impact created by the skillful combination of these elements. All is supported by impeccable craftsmanship.

I combine objects in unexpected ways. My extensive experience painting leads to rich and unusual color combinations. Good Design is not enough for me -- I’m satisfied at last when my work leaps out and sings!

Web design, graphic arts, illustration, and printmaking are my loves from a lifetime of work in the arts and in applying the arts to marketing.

My fine art prints are in numerous personal collections; my graphic arts – in the form of the logos and brochures of businesses and nonprofits – can be found throughout southern Oregon, and my websites promote many organizations, both regionally and world-wide.

My experience as a lead designer at Musician’s Friend, while the successful online retailer was based in southern Oregon, yielded tremendous expertise in creating effective promotional campaigns and designing positive online user experiences. Our success was validated by both business success and major awards for website design.

Beauty and effective functionality are not incompatible. They must go hand-in-hand, serving one another, in good design.