What is Rynaga?
Rynaga (rin-ah-gah) is an imaginary world of epic tales, colorful creatures and complex characters.
The stories set in this world are about people you may know - the adventurous traveler, the quiet contemplator, the troubled romantic and the determined soul. If you're like me, you identify with characters who seek something more important than themselves, like justice, love, beauty or truth.
Who creates this project?
The World of Rynaga is an ongoing design and world-building project created by me, Eric Torres. I write the stories, I illustrate the images, I design the products and I independently fund every aspect of this project.
Growing up in a large family meant not much money to go around. Yet, my parents valued reading and made sure I spent lots of time with books. I grew up reading the works of Homer, Jules Verne, Herman Melville, J.R.R Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, J.M. Barrie and Tennyson among others. I also loved drawing, painting and building stuff with Legos,... you know, just using my imagination.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to have a creative profession. I work now as a Designer and Art Director. Yet, more than anything I knew I wanted to tell stories, both from a visual and written standpoint.
Why did you create this world?
During the day, I work as a graphic designer. I work with a diverse collection of clients, each with their own business goals and strategic objectives. While I aspire to work on Rynaga full-time, I'll most likely always need a main source of income to support my family. It's Reality.
Yet, no matter who I work for or with, it will always be important to me to be involved in work of my own initiation. Building the world of Rynaga is a way for me to exercise my own passion for story, imagination and design.
Yet, no matter who I work for or with, it will always be important to me to be involved in work of my own initiation. Building the world of Rynaga is a way for me to exercise my own passion for story, imagination and design.
What inspires your art style?
Scandinavian folk art and wood cuts, ancient Greek art, Japanese pop culture, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Mayan stone carvings and the art and architecture of the European Renaissance. I'm trying to cultivate an art and design style that people of many cultures can identify with.
How can I contact you?
Send a message anytime to rynaga@gmail.com. Rynaga is a big place, but I'm always available for questions.
-Eric
