...Creativity Lives Here
Original Fine Art to Compliment Every Decor
824 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Meet Artist Ron Perkins
Ron is 89 years old (or young), and art has been part of his life since childhood. In high school, he admits to being a pretty bad student – except in art. His teacher recognized his talent and helped Ron send off a portfolio to the Walt Disney Company. He was accepted as an illustrator, which meant about three years of being under the thumb of a mentor before actually allowed to create his own work.
But this was 1954, he was 18 years old, and the military draft was going on. Ron turned down Disney and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for 22 years before retiring in 1976. Even during his time with USMC, art was part of his life. He did graphics and maps as well as illustrations and eventually was named Exhibits Chief at the old Marine Corps Museum.
Living in Florida for many years, he became fascinated with birds, which are one of his main subjects for his paintings. He says they have personalities, just like dogs or cats. At home, he is serenaded by a male yellow and white canary named Buddy (I learned that only male canaries sing). Ron studies birds – live, in photos and through research – before putting them in his artwork. The backgrounds, however, are straight from his imagination. If he thinks a bird should be perched in a tree, he creates limbs and tiny leaves for the avian. He loves that minutiae, like “painting eyebrows on a gnat.” Creating backgrounds, Ron says, lets his creative juices flow.
Though Ron currently focuses on acrylics and colored pencils, he has a strong background in other art forms as well: drawing, photography, air-brushing and silk-screening to name a few. He has an Associate Degree in Creative Art from Northern Virginia Community College.
Newest Pieces Available for Purchase
Click on a photo below to learn more about the piece and purchase online. At this time we are not shipping so your piece will be ready to pick up at the gallery.
