We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryan Horton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I first came to the realization that I could take the dive into being a full-time artist after a series of opportunities cropped up all at once. The first was how well my art sold at my very first market. I had no expectations going into it. I would have been so proud if only one piece sold but when the market finished and I ended with 30 sales that equated to my portion of the rent, I was starting to look at my talents differently.

The next opportunities were when I was accepted for back to back exhibitions in separate cities followed by an invitation to be a part of the inaugural CLUSTER CONTEMPORARY Art Fair in London, UK. From Kansas City to Pittsburgh and then London, these three opportunities happened so fast and for three separate pieces while I was still establishing my footing in the art world. Seeing and actualizing that my art can open doors to travel and seeing the world really made the dream of being an artist a reality.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve had a fun journey to becoming an artist. With full transparency, I admit that at the beginning, being an artist was never an option. I was definitely intrigued by the career path but I didn’t really relate to the majority of the examples I was exposed to. For context, I’ve always had an appreciation for creativity. If you ask my mom she’ll say I’ve been drawing little characters my whole life. I grew up watching cartoons, specifically Dragonball Z, and enjoyed all the different characters but what really got me into drawing was the Boondocks. It’s undeniably the show that captured so many cultural references and was unapologetically Black. That unlocked the potential of what I could see my creations becoming. So when I got accepted to Savannah College of Art & Design I felt like it was time to see what I could do. Interestingly enough, I decided to focus my studies into Architecture. It was a bold decision but one that I think shaped and broadened my perspective of the world around me.

After a total of 6 years studying, receiving my BFA with a focus in Architecture at SCAD and my Masters of Architecture at Northeastern University, and a couple of jobs at Architecture firms, I decided that architecture wasn’t my drive. A lot of people ask me if I have any regrets about it and I can happily say no. Being exposed to a field that’s powered by iterative problem solving that focuses on the impact on people’s daily experiences in the world through the built environment allowed me to be more mindful in my approach to creating.

I then jumped into experiential design where I had the liberty to create immersive environments in large convention spaces. I was able to not only build with my architectural background but also tap deeper into my creative imagination. I was able to conceptualize narratives that enabled visitors to navigate and become a part of the branded experience. My time here was cut short due to the unexpected pandemic that put everything on pause but also offered the time to check in on myself. While on lockdown I started focusing on my own forms of creative communication. I fell in love with photography and self-portraits which in practice allowed me to see myself in what I create.

My final pit stop before my transition into trusting my artistry was working as a graphic designer. I always had the appreciation and love for beautiful design and while focusing on architecture in school I was fortunate to come across some incredibly talented peers that planted the seeds to hone in on how to best communicate through graphics. I took my learnings and practices and started doing freelance logo design then jumped back into the corporate world doing graphic design for marketing. This was a great introduction to how to craft design elements together for a specific purpose. I also learned when and where to focus my energy.

After some inspirational moments, I decided to bet on me and become a full time artist. My main styles at the moment are single line artwork and digital collages. My digital artwork primarily expresses an intimate conversation within myself. It focuses on my journey with who I am and my relationship with myself and my art. My single line works are my therapy. They are like breathing and allow me to carve back space in my head when life gets stressful. I have had a very fruitful beginning to my art career and I hope for more opportunities to share it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think there are multiple rewarding aspects of being an artist/creative. One that I’ve always appreciated was defying expectations. This may speak to previous experiences in life but the odd satisfaction I get when I know I’m in my element and breaking down others’, or even my own, expectations can sometimes feel unmatched. A second reward is the continuous growth and development that you go through as you create. While sometimes hidden as setbacks, the steps of evolving allow artists and creatives alike to change with the times and better understand themselves and their purpose.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m still in the process of unlearning that you have to starve as an artist. This is a part of a larger conversation about societal expectations I’ve been learning as a Black man in America, that trying to live up to someone else’s expectations is only dimming your light. I’ve seen the most mediocre be praised for their potential, while the deserving become lost behind their shadows. As I grow with my art, I continuously learn that who I am and what I create is enough and that I need to shift my understanding of what success means.    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hortoniconicdesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iconic.dsgns/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-horton3553
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@iconic.dsgns www.threads.net/@iconic.dsgns