by Okesene Tilo
FLUSH MAGAZINE







Congratulations Ryan on your upcoming first solo show, Ryan Prado SHOT Me!, which many of your fans including myself consider to be a long-time coming.  What took so long and why do you feel now is the time to finally have a solo exhibit?
Thank you! I just wasn't ready… mentally, physically, emotionally. I always knew it was something I wanted to do but it wasn't until it felt right that I decided it was time. I truly feel that things happen when they are supposed to happen. I'm ready for this experience and I just have really high hopes for the future.

What can patrons who aren't familiar with your work as well as fans familiar with your work look forward to at Ryan Prado SHOT Me!?
An attack of the senses! I want to go all out with this show. I'm having live models walking around recreating some of my favorite shots. This will give the viewer the opportunity to interact with the photograph in a way that hasn't been done with my work. I'll also be photographing the patrons with the models so that they can say "Ryan Prado shot me" too which will be a lot of fun. It was also really important for me to show some of my older work. I've shown bits and pieces here and there but never as a cohesive body of work. I'll have some old and some new.  I'm really excited about the new shots. I've been playing with different lighting and the themes are some of my most personal.









One could easily assume that model Jessica Hurst is one of your favorites given the many times you two have collaborated.  What makes the perfect model?
Jessica is amazing and I can honestly say that my work would not be the same without her beauty and grace. For me, the perfect model is someone who embodies my idea. Usually when I get an idea I start picturing the look I'm going for and then try to find someone who fits that ideal. I try to capture a lot of emotion in my work so for a model to be able to emote is a plus.

As an artist with an extensive portfolio, do you ever look back at some of your past work with less enthusiasm as when it was brand new?
Of course, I think all artists do. Over time your methods get better, your ideas get stronger. I'm proud of it all though because at the time of its creation it meant something to me.

Iconography plays an important role in your photos.  What pop culture icons are on your dream list of people to work with one day?
That's easy, Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Kylie Minogue. Three women who constantly re-invent themselves and who are always on the cutting edge of art, fashion and music.

Many point out Tampa's art scene as being more underground than mainstream.  What could elevate the local arts movement to be as prominent as it is in other cities such as Chicago and New York?
The most important thing is to get the general public involved. The cool kids and the art lovers are always on top of the latest shows. We as artists need to find ways to get more of the general public interested in what we do. Once we mesh the two worlds, I think the art scene will explode.

Who are some of your favorite local artists, photographers & designers?
My favorite artists are people that I look up to for many different reasons. Tes One, Bradley Paul Valentine, Amber Cox and the Blue Lucy boys are all people whose work I admire and who I would love to collaborate with in the future. They are fearless, original and I can see the love and passion in their work. 

What are your hopes and plans for the future?
I want to keep doing what I'm doing. I would love to travel to different cities and expose my work to a different group of people, but I always want to call Tampa my home. It has done nothing but nourish my artistic desires and inspire me to do what I've done and what I'll continue to do.

Your photography has been described as dreamlike, quirky and adventurous.  How would you describe your photography in one word?
POP!

And finally, describe Ryan Prado the artist in one word.
Individual.







For more information on Ryan Prado and Ryan Prado SHOT! Me, please visit:
www.RyanPrado.com
www.RyanPradoShotMe.com
www.SquareOneFlorida.com