Mike Ryan began his college education in the art department at NMU. However, when seeking potential employment and a regular paycheck, he returned to Marquette and received his teaching degree. He then taught kindergarten in the desert southwest for twenty five years. 

He said, “Each year would begin with me setting out boxes of the big eight pack crayons. Now here I am many years later creating artwork with that same type of crayon. I guess some things are just meant to be. Sometimes I just draw a line and see what happens. It never ceases to amaze me what you can create when you allow yourself the freedom to explore.”