Ronald Walton: The Artist
Artist Statement: For my paper on canvas works, I created a technique of layering paper cut-outs on to canvas to give the pictures a 3D effect. Depending on the subject matter, I add textures using different thicknesses and shapes of paper to emboss the picture even more. The use of these materials enhances the picture. Color selection is always a mystery; because the object is to develop a pastel appearance by painting and repainting the colors over and over until the right color is achieved. Using this technique of coloring sometimes takes on a life of its own. The end result is a vibrant, colorful and Illuminating effect on canvas. When I am painting morning, noon and night, the backdrop of jazz music is always my ‘go to’ inspirational genre that puts me in the ‘zone’ when creating and listening to artists like Miles, Coltrane and Monk.
In closing, “One thing I learned over time in building confidence in my work, is creating, exploring and mastering my technique drives me to be the best artist I can be. Nobody can teach you this it comes from within.”
By Ronald Walton
https://www.ronaldjwalton.com/
https://www.waltongallery.com/
RONALD J. WALTON
P.O.BOX 1030
PETERSBURG, VA 23804
(804) 732- 2475
[email protected]
Ronald Walton was born in New York City and is currently a resident of Petersburg, Virginia and a part time resident of Brooklyn, New York. He attended Brooklyn College and has been acclaimed for his creation of the “Rollcubistic” style of portraying human form. This unique technique of painting encompasses the use of round sphere-like balls patterned to form a humanistic figure. His use of color combination and depth creates a lavish and illuminating affect. Walton’s work can be found in public and private collections throughout the United States.
His early works featured collages showing the mean streets and the reality of hard economic conditions characteristics of the Civil Rights Era. By the late 1970’s, Walton social messages grew more surrealistic and became manifested in his “Rollcubistic” style. Walton’s abstract visions show the imprint of three principle influences: William Dekooning, Jackson Pollock, and Romare Bearden.
He is an Artist who is currently creating new work, regardless of his mood. “Art should be practiced in good, bad, high, or low spirits,” says Walton. He is multidimensional in his approach and works in pen and ink and pastels and oils. After nearly three decades of producing and exhibiting both nationally and internationally, Walton is poised and positioned to begin the twenty-first century as a major voice in the movement to express “cultural pluralism” through art.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 Black History Museum & Cultural Center, Richmond, VA
2019 Fredericksburg Center for The Arts, Fredericksburg, VA
2016 "Walton Gallery presents”, ArtSpace, Richmond, VA
2017, 2013 Capital One, Town Center Gallery, Richmond, VA
2006 International Visions Gallery, Washington, DC
2002, 1991, 1986 King-Tisdell Museum, Savannah, GA
2001, 2005 Stella Jones Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2000 June Kelly Gallery, New York, NY
1999 Sake, San Francisco, CA
1998 Bomani Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1998 College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY
1996 Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Roanoke, VA
1996 Fleet Bank, New York, NY
1994 Walter Gomez Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1992 University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
1992 DL Art Advisory Service, Chicago, IL
1991 International Oasis, Savannah, GA
1991, 1989, 1987, 1986 Spiral Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
1989 City College, New York, NY
1985, 1984, 1975, 1974 Dorsey’s Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
1983 American Telephone & Telegraph, Baskingridge ,NJ
1982 Langston, New York, NY
1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977 Harry Simmons, Brooklyn, NY
1980, 1975 The Center for Art and Culture of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY
1975 Panoras Gallery, New York, NY
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 “The Global Metaphysics of Abstract Painters II”, HMOCA ,Hilo, HI
2018 SUPERFINE! DC, Dock 5/ Union Market District, Washington, DC
2018 Harlem Fine Arts Show, Washington, DC
2018 “Spiral Now: 55Years in the Making”, Studio Theatre, Washington, DC
2018 “Let the Light Shine Brite”, Main Street Gallery, Richmond, VA
2017 “Homeward Bound”, Taubman Museum, Roanoke, VA
2017, 2016 “Within Reach”, ArtSpace, Richmond, VA
2015 Black art in America, Faison Firehouse Theater, New York, NY
2015 "Summertime at SunTrust" SunTrust Bank Main St., Richmond, VA
2015 "Walton Gallery Presents" SunTrust Bank Main St., Richmond, VA
2014 "Size Doesnt Matter", Glave Kocen Gallery, Richmond, VA
2015, 2014, 2013 ChildSavers, Glave Kocen Gallery, Richmond, VA
2013 "Rebirth" Capital One, James Center Town Center, Chester, VA
2017, 2012 Reflections of Monk, Kenkeleba Gallery, New York, NY
2013, 2012 Walton Gallery, Petersburg, VA
2014, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Shelnutt Gallery, Troy, NY
2008, 2006 Ratner Museum, Bethesda, MD
2010, 2008, 2007 International Visions Gallery, Washington, DC
2007 Sol Cooper Gallery, Petersburg, VA
2011 PAAL- Petersburg Area Art League, Petersburg, VA
2018, 2016, 2008 Sharon Simmons Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2015, 2013, 2009 Sharon Simmons Sag Harbor Show, Sag Harbor, NY
2005 The Gallery at Stageworks/Hudson, Hudson, NY
2004 Millennium Art Gallery, Washington, DC
1998 Black Fine Arts Show, New York, NY
1997 Triangle fine Arts, New York, NY
1997 American International College, Springfield, MA
1996 Lynx Productions, New York, NY
1995, 1992 Watermark Cargo Gallery, Kingston, NY
1991 International Oasis Gallery, Savannah, GA
1991 Dundalk Community College, Baltimore, MD
1991 Washington’s Women’s Investment Club, Washington, DC
1991-1992 Pelloon Fine Art, Washington, DC
1988-1989 Manhattan Borough President’s Office (David Dinkins), New York, NY
1989 Sherry Washington Fine Art, Detroit, MI
1985 World Trade Center, New York, NY
1982 Roots Art Gallery, Scarsdale, NY
1979-1981 Frances Aronson Gallery Ltd., Atlanta, GA
1980 Union Saving Bank, New York, NY
1980 Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
1980 The Mill Gallery, Guilford, CT
1981, 1980, 1979 Automation House, New York, NY
1977-1982 Great Neck Library, Great Neck, NY
1979 Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY
1979 Festival Des Artes Et Culture, Fort-De-France, Martinique
1979 Queens Museum, Long Island, NY
1979 Brooklyn Heights Promenade Art Show, Brooklyn, NY
1978 Lever House, New York, NY
1978 Union Carbide, New York, NY
1979, 1976 Black History Museum, Long Island, NY
1975 New Muse, Brooklyn, NY
1974 Randall Gallery, New York, NY
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Try-Me, Richmond, VA
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA
Richard Bland College, Petersburg, VA
ChildSavers, Richmond, VA
Pepsi Co., New York, NY
Roosevelt/ Waldorf Astoria, New Orleans, LA
Paul R. Jones Collection, University of Delaware Museum
John Utendahl, Utendahl Capital Partners, Wall Street, New York, NY
College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY
King-Tisdell Museum, Savannah, GA
BOOK COVERS
James Baldwin, Another Country
Gayl Jones, The Healling
Gayl Jones, Corregidora
Gayl Jones, Eva’s Man
ALBUM COVERS
2004 Introducing Antoinque
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
Romare Bearden, Documentary, 1980
For more information and images of Ron's work, visit www.ronaldjwalton.com
