We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cheeto Ryan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cheeto below.

Cheeto , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.

I think the education system needs to change the culture of school for kids to have a fulfilling life and career. The education system sets a culture that does not speak to the actual real world. We start off children with the general education classes however, we leave out the knowledge needed to be successful as an adult (examples: personal financing, employment, taxes, etc. ). I also feel like the treatment of elective courses could be treated as important as general education. In my experiences, these courses are not implemented and create adults without any financial literacy or ability to navigate in the world . Furthermore, the treatment of electives does not allow a child to open their mindset to any and all opportunities. I did not have a set goal on what I wanted to do with my life, even though art was always around me. I did not even think art could be a career until 10th grade. If I had that knowledge prior to high school, art would have been a focus at an earlier age. Electives classes get treated like and afterthought or a privilege , when art is just as important as math or science. Electives classes need to same support as general education classes.

Cheeto , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Born and raised in Memphis, TN,I am a mix media artist and photographer. I have always been overwhelmed by the vast amount of poverty in my city and treatment of certain neighborhoods from others intrigued me. I have always enjoyed helping the community and I wanted to find a connection between that and art. After getting my BFA, I began teaching at non profits, establishing community engagement , and creating art.

I provide any artistic service or creative work . Being a mixed media artist, I am always versatile to creative works. I have provided photography, collages, paintings, and even creative direction for clothing lines. I love challenging myself , so when it comes to services the sky is the limit. I think my aesthetic is what sets me apart form others and I love it. If asked to create a portrait, my portrait won’t be your typical portrait. It will be bold, full of color, full of paper! My collages are becoming more apparent in all of my work ,even portraits and landscape.

I am most proud of my aesthetic and style. My work is significant to me, it speaks to my intent and direction, and it is one of a kind. I want people to know that my work is not your typical collage but better! I want people to know Cheeto Ryan’s work is a thin line between collage and photography that alters the perception of real life and experimentation.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The emotions. The change. The results I get from doing what I love best. If its teaching, to impact that I am putting on children. Recreating that moment , when I art was introduced to me. A new journey or exploration through your own expression and creativity. The excitement of creating art in a new from is rewarding every time. If its creating change through community engagement, the emotions, the people, the love for my culture. The impact and change I create from engaging with communities is rewarding to me.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice

I actually made my own and have my own. I recently was apart of a NFT show with a few artists. I had heard about them , but I had never dabbled with them. I was taught the process and created my own .I saw the results from it and watch as my fellow artist friends creating breakthroughs with their NFTs. I was iffy about it because its art but not really but ya know. So I was on the fence until i was taught about it. However, now they are saying NFTs are worthless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cheetoryan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheetoryan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheetoryan/