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

Ron, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

After a 25+ year hiatus after breaking both wrists in a motorcycle accident, I find joy and peace to finally paint again. At the time I was a full time graphic designer and working at the post office full time.

It was my son Austin, who is also an artist, that gave me the inspiration to pick up the brushes again. After a challenge from him, I told my mentor and friend about my thought process. He called the next day and asked me to stop by, and had all the supplies I needed to get back to painting…though I had only painted in college while majoring in commercial art. This arduous adventure has given me the opportunity to put this journey back to visual arts on canvas, and on paper.

After of period of two years, we had a “father/son” exhibit at a local museum. And the rest is history. Since then, I have won a few awards, participated in shows across the US, and added several collectors as supporters. I am also doing more commercial projects along the way. (Hilton Hotel/Oschner Hospital)

Ron, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Art gives me platforms to connect, share, offer hope, and comfort to those creatives struggling with telling their truth while using their given talents. As for me, my artistic expression is truly bigger than me applying paint to canvas, but the “why” that is attached to it. That part is constantly evolving – as I hope be better as a human, and always enjoying the journey.

Because my styles are in total contrast, I am often asked why is that. I am not good with boxes. LOL I also play drums at my church too. So my creative space is multifaceted, and it shows up in music that I like, and the art that shifts from time to time.

I grew up in a small rural town in Northwest Louisiana, and that is where I get my rural influence from. However, my abstract is a style a saw with my band director, teacher, and mentor from junior high school. Later on, my art teacher in high school was where the realism came into play. Oh…the power of exposure and influence. So relevant in my growth.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe “sharing” with other art enthusiasts isn’t stressed enough. I also believe that art is always evolving and shifting, and knowledge of your market support is of utmost importance. I lister to social media spaces where collectors and artists are sharing their thoughts on the market, and where we are headed in this creative space.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Riding on my grandmother’s cotton sack, as she picked from the fields on the farm we lived on, I got to see hard work from a different perspective. Though it was years later that I came the conclusion – when I’d here her say “it’s time for you to walk grandson”, I believe the lesson was to learn to walk on my own.

That coupled with the motorcycle accident, has given me to look at things from multiple ways.
– life happens at the speed of life
– nothing just happens…work ethic matters
– grant grace even when you feel like they don’t deserve it

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ronsmithartworks.com
• Instagram: @ronsmithart
• Facebook: Ron Smith
• Linkedin: ronsmithart
• Twitter: ronsmithart