by Elyse Glickman
Five artists, five distinctive visions and the innovative ways they are redefining modern art on their own terms.
Some artists paint to make a political statement, while others strive to capture nature, emotions or the human condition through innovative techniques that can’t be duplicated in textbooks, seminars or art schools.
Five artists currently making their modern art mark on the world–Chris Gwaltney, Ron Hicks, Ruben Rojas, Richard Orlinski and Kerry Schroeder—fit this dynamic by not fitting into traditional definitions of what defines an artist. Through their highly individualized approach to color, design and structure, they draw, color and shape things completely outside of the lines—even making up their own rules as they go.
Ron Hicks | Bonner David Galleries
Ron Hicks’ striking portraits and figures are as intimately personal as they are far reaching and relevant in today’s social climate, and often closely related to his personal past. His “Surfacing” and “Identity” series of paintings originated from his own experiences dealing with race, social issues, and the other things affecting him as a minority on a day-to-day basis.
“When I started these bodies of work and looked at how things affected me, my mind jumped,” says Hicks, who grew up in Columbus, Ohio and has called Denver, Colorado home for much of his adult life.
“As soon as I let my experiences open the door, other ideas blossomed. With (my) paintings, it’s like there’s a part of me trying to get out and deal with my own past. I’m not trying to create answers, I’m opening a dialogue.”
Hicks explained that many art genres inspire him, including abstract non-objective paintings, impressionism, realism and representational art. He also cites his mother, an artist in her own right, as an inspiration and his “biggest cheerleader,” while he credits wife Sharon for being the “rocket fuel” that’s powered both his creative output and his ascent in the art world.
“I don’t think it would be possible for me to actually do what I do without her support,” he says. “There are many artists who don’t have that supportive presence and often experience a constant battle. She enables me to be free to be as creative as I can be in (today’s competitive) environment.”
And Hicks’ journey continues, creating canvases that are as timeless as they are in tune with today’s headlines and subjects all human beings can relate to.
“I’m astonished by how many artists want to control how the public sees their art,” he says, looking back to some of his early commissions where clients were inclined to give him a little too much direction and yet did not get the perfect result.
“The way I see it, an artist needs to let people bring their own experiences to the work and be comfortable with whatever responses they have. While I don’t want to stand in the way of that happening, there’s a bigger purpose in what I as an artist sees and brings to the painting. If you allow me to do what I do as an artist, you’ll get a better result.”
