"Working as an illustrator and painter for more than 20 years, I have often utilized the figure in narratives to communicate the nature of the human condition.
I give each of my characters a role in my paintings that plays out like a scene from a motion picture. Carefully scripted by a personal experience, these characters go about their lives like you and me.
Many of my paintings depict tension or energy in some way. The tension is exhibited in an attitude, an action or in some activity on the canvas. The tension is either overt or more kinetic but is almost palpable in each piece of artwork.
The size of my paintings, along with some personal connection, pulls you into the canvas. The drag of an alto saxophone fills the room in one painting while the noise deafens you; the smoke chokes you. A fight breaks out in the corner of the room on another canvas while a pool hustler wins a round. The subjects are infinite.
Henry O. Tanner, John Sloan, and George Bellows were masters at observing and translating these types of human conditions onto a canvas in oil. My technique, drawn from what I have observed from these artists, comes with a willingness to bare my soul and to capture my life experiences with each stroke of my paint brush."
Ron Anderson
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Ron Anderson is an oil painter and a former art educator. He has been a successful working artist for more than 30 years. Ron has earned many awards for his oil paintings and was a nominee for the 2005 Governor's Awards for the Arts in Ohio in the Individual Artist category.
Ron was a commercial art instructor with The Columbus College of Art & Design and a commercial art instructor with Columbus City Schools. He has served as an Art Consultant on several Public Art projects with art commissions that have included oil paintings, graphic design and illustration.
Prior to working as a Commercial Art instructor, Ron worked as a Fashion Illustrator for the Halle's department store in Cleveland, Ohio and for the Lazarus department store in Columbus, Ohio. He also held the position of Fashion Illustrator and Art Director at the corporate office of Madison's, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio.
Ron served as a Regional Director for the Ohio Governor's Show/Governor's Youth Art Exhibition from 1994-2000 and on the Board of Directors of the Worthington Arts Council from 1990-1992. Ron served as Juror for the 2008 Dayton Visual Arts Center “Call for Entries”, and previously as Juror for art exhibits with the High Road Gallery in Worthington, Ohio and with the German Village Society.
Ron served as a Juror for the 2017 Columbus Arts Festival. He was also the Juror for the 2019 "Art At The Arnold" Art Competition at the Arnold Sports Festival.
Ron's biographical information/photograph is included in the 3rdthrough the 8thth editions of "Who's Who in Black Columbus.” This publication recognizes and highlights the positive achievements of African-Americans. Ron was also featured in the Columbus Regional Airport Authority’s 2008 Black History Month display at Port Columbus.
Ron Anderson has developed a recognizable style of distinctive artwork and continues to devote time to his oil paintings. He was commissioned to create an oil painting for the Absolut Spirits Company, 3rd Annual Art Collection entitled "Absolut Expressions".
Another art commission involved Ron creating two portraits of George Washington Williams that are currently housed in the Ohio Statehouse in the George Washington Williams Memorial Room.
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The Ohio State Bar Association commissioned Ron to create six oil paintings for The Supreme Court of Ohio in the Ohio Judicial Center. The paintings depict the "The History of the Rule of Law.” The artwork is on display on the 11th floor outside of the Law Library in the Law Library Gallery.
Ron Anderson was invited by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, to serve as a guest speaker at the "Ohio: The Law, the Land & the People" Artist Reception hosted by the Supreme Court of Ohio on 6/3/08. The event took place to celebrate and acknowledge the contributors and contemporary artists whose work is housed at the Ohio Judicial Center. Each painting measures 96" x 41.5" (wxh) and are on display on the 11th floor of the Ohio Judicial Center
Ron Anderson’s oil paintings are also included in the permanent art collections of the Springfield Museum of Art in Springfield, Ohio, and The King Arts Complex in Columbus, Ohio. His triptych entitled "Cargo" is the centerpiece of an interactive installation at The King Arts Complex entitled "Cargo: The Middle Passage.”The artwork was acquired by The King Arts Complex in 2005 and is a part of their permanent art collection.
Ron signed an art licensing agreement with publisher Five Ponds of New York city to grant image usage for panel three of the Cargo triptych. Author Joy Masoff utilized the image in a hard cover scholastic book for elementary students. The book entitled “The African American Story was published in 2007.
Ron's triptych measures 93"x48" (wxh) and depicts the interior of a slave ship. The King Arts Complex was the recipient of the 2006 Greater Columbus Arts Council “Artistic Excellence” award for the “Cargo” exhibit.
Ron’s oil painting "Popcorn and Peanuts" was selected in 2011 by the Ohio Arts Council to be included in the Ohio Governor's Office Exhibition for a 24 month temporary loan through June 2013.. A second painting "Concert in Blue" was chosen to be displayed for 24 months through June 2015. An additonal two paintings "Kelly's Gym" and "Bottom of the 9th" were selected recently for a 24 month loan through June 2017. "Concrete Village" was displayed through February 2019.
Ron’s oil paintings "Formula 44", “The New Age of Enlightenment” and "The Second Coming" depict President Barack Obama.
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Ron’s wife and business partner, Robin Anderson will post information on upcoming art exhibitions as details are finalized.
Robin updates the web site monthly with new images and information. She also handles the marketing, licensing and exhibition of Ron’s paintings.
Visit our online art dealer to purchase Ron's paintings. Major credit cards accepted (This link takes you to Absolute Arts/World Wide Arts Resources)
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Ron Anderson Studio P. O. Box 340241 Columbus, Ohio 43234
Ron Anderson Robin Anderson (Web site updated November 2024)
Artist owns all rights to copyright, and reproduction of his artwork as prescribed by the Copyright law of the United States of America. Images should not be reproduced without the explicit written permission of the artist. Buyer is responsible for all Shipping and Handling charges, and any applicable Sales Tax/Duties. Paintings are sold unframed.
