Art Blog: Original oil paintings

"Roots and Legacies" Columbus Cultural Art Center exhibit

Celebrate the legacy of 17 Central Ohio artists at the Ohio Art League's Roots and Legacies exhibit

Ron attended the opening reception of the "Roots and Legacies" exhibit at the Columbus Cultural Art Center on 11/18/07. The event was well attended, and the exhibit is dedicated to the memory of artist and educator Ed Colston, and Ray Hanley, past President of the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

The seventeen artists in the exhibition include:

• Bill Agnew
• Ralph Bell
• Smoky Brown
• Rev. St. Patrick Clay
• Ed Colston
• Tony Davenport
• Ann DeWald
• Gilda Edwards
• Jeanne Fryer-Kohles
• Roman Johnson
• Robert King
• Mary Merrill
• William F. Ollila
• Mahler Ryder
• Mildred Slade
• Robert Stull
• John Vaughn

Ron was pleased to see many fellow artists, and art supporters from the community attend the reception. He was personally acquainted with many of the artists included in the exhibit, and has been inspired by their work.

The exhibit program includes information about how the exhibition was conceived, and describes how Ohio Art League Director Sean Cooper "...embraced the concept of this exhibition, sought and received funding from GCAC to produce a catalog of the artists and their work."

The Preface included in the exhibit program was written by Denny Griffith, President of the Columbus College of Art and Design. He mentions that he was acquainted with a dozen of the artists, and states that "It is a splendid gesture and a rare opportunity for all of us to reflect on their lives, their work, their passing, and their lasting influence. We were, and are, enriched by them, and we are lucky to have known them."

Columbus Cultural Art Center

Exhibit runs 11/18/07- 12/30/07
Call (614) 645-7047 for details

Posted by: Robin

"Voodoo Zoo" what is this painting all about

"Tell me about this painting, what is taking place, what is this painting all about..."

Ron is often asked by viewers of his artwork to explain "what is taking place" or "what is this painting all about". I know that he has always been very interested to hear what his viewers think they are seeing in a painting, and he often lets them come to their own conclusions.

There is a good amount of action and energy  depicted in Ron's figurative work, and each person who views his paintings has their own opinion about; what a character might be up to, what they are thinking, what action has just occurred, and what might happent next.

It is really a treat to talk to viewers of his work to hear what they think about a painting,and what feelings it creates when they view the work. It is interesting to hear what his viewers have to say as they describe how they interpret what a certain character is doing or what action they perceive as taking place. We even had one person tell us that they saw a figure of a ghost hovering over the stage in Ron's painting "Concert in Blue". Visit www.ronandersonstudio.com to see this painting. If you see a ghost, let me know  : )

We recently received a request from an art enthusiast who wanted to know what was taking place in the painting "Voodoo Zoo". Sometimes Ron will give a good description of what he had in mind when he painted a piece, and sometimes he prefers not to describe in detail what the painting is all about.

With Ron's permission I am  providing the information Ron gave me about "Voodoo Zoo".

Enjoy !

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"Voodoo Zoo was inspired by Dante's Inferno. The oil painting represents the consequences of temptation. Figures in the scene have been lured by the "fruits" of temptation.

The setting is Hades or more specifically the gates of Hell. The figure holding the apple represents Satan. The figures around him do not realize they are in Hell.

There is a man shown with his hand out calling out to the viewer. He is the only one that realizes where he is. He knows that he is already in Hell, and he is warning the viewer that they are about to enter Hell. He realizes what has happened to him. He is trying to  stop the viewer at the door so they won't cross over to the realm where he now exists. Maybe if they heed his warning they can be saved.

The woman with her hands up is being transformed into a demon with horns. Her hands are positioned to look like the shape of horns. It is too late for her to be saved. The rest  of the figures have fallen into a trance, the dance is part of that trance."

Voodoo Zoo was included in the 95th Annual Spring Juried Exhibition sponsored by the Ohio Art League that took place at the Columbus Museum of Art 04/29/06-9/03/06.

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Posted by: Robin