WELCOME
I’ve been a painter working mostly in and around Western Pennsylvania for most of my life. My main focus is capturing how the landscape feels – at different times of the day and in different seasons. I paint every single day so you’ll see many different subjects, but they are unified by a single theme: truthful observation.
After painting for 30 years, I’ve come to appreciate what my first painting instructor said: paint what you know. I do not seek postcard scenes; I seek an intensity of feeling that comes only from being in a particular place at a particular time. So many things in the landscape are interesting, especially here in Western Pennsylvania: steel mills, city skylines, snow-filled parks, twisting side streets, and even back yards. For me, it is a painter’s paradise.
Watch this video to see how an outdoor painter spends his “day at the office.”
Some of the paintings featured on this site can be found at my Pittsburgh studio. Others, however, may be hanging in juried exhibitions, in galleries, or in museum shows – and some may have been sold. I chose to include a few images that are not currently available because they represent work that I am particularly proud of. To purchase artwork, please visit my Gallery Store, which features paintings that are priced and available for sale. Feel free to contact me directly and I can tell you more about availability and options.
I open my studio to visitors by appointment. I especially enjoy showing my most recent work. The studio, located on the second floor of a Victorian-era building in the interesting neighborhood of Lawrenceville, is chock-full of my work. I’m told that my studio space itself is something of a work of art. One thing is for sure—they don’t build buildings like this anymore.
For art lovers on social media, I’m currently using Instagram to showcase my weekly new work. I invite you to follow along if you’d like to see my process.
What Is Plein Air Painting?
Simply stated, it is painting directly from life. It comes from the French phrase, “en plein aire” – meaning in the open air. Something happens when an artist is confronted directly with the subject. I think it has something to do with the spirit of a place. I believe that spirit can makes its way into the artist and the work itself.
NEWS & EVENTS
Brownsville to Braddock
My project Brownsville to Braddock will be released as a 135 page hardback book on March 9, 2021. Thanks to the University of Pittsburgh Press for publishing and promoting it. It's also available on Amazon
Artist/Scholar-in-Residence, Fallingwater
I've been welcomed to Fallingwater to create a new body of work that is inspired by the historic Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. It's an excellent opportunity to experience the beauty of the building and the [...]
New Isolation Series
This new series started because of the Covid virus. While being confined to my studio, I started thinking about everyone that also felt alone. I've completed about 10 nocturne paintings from night walks in my [...]
Associated Artists, 107th Annual Exhibition
I'm very proud to be included in the Associated Artists' 107th Annual Exhibition at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. After the Storm, 48" x 60" is one of 46 featured works. Exhibition is through [...]
Westmoreland Museum of American Art acquires new painting
I'm very proud to have this painting in the permanent collection, Immaculate Heart of Mary, 50 x 70, oil on linen. If you have never visited this museum, you should definitely go. It has an [...]
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
FACEBOOK: My Facebook page is updated frequently with additional news and events. Like Ron’s Facebook Page to stay up to date.
INSTAGRAM: I’ve been using Instagram more often, especially while I’m painting. Ron’s Instagram Page.