Ryan Pierce's large-scale paintings depict our world recovering from human industry. He draws on influences from ecological theory, literature, and folk art to create scenes that portray the resilience of the natural world.

He has exhibited internationally and his work has been recognized by grants from the Joan Mitchell and San Francisco Foundations, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council, as well as by reviews in Art in America, Art Papers, and The Oregonian. Pierce first came to Sitka as a fellow in the Jordan Schnitzer Printmaking Residency and has also been an artist in residence at the Ucross Foundation, Caldera, and Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder in Norway. Pierce has taught at colleges and universities throughout Oregon. He is represented by Elizabeth Leach Gallery in Portland.

Pierce is the co-founder, with activist Amy Harwood, of Signal Fire, a group that facilitates wilderness residencies and retreats for artists of all disciplines. Pierce currently works as the Director of Signal Fire's academic program, Wide Open Studios.