Ron Milton
Born in London, Ontario, Ron recalls drawing as a child on paper that his father brought home from work. Ron studied printmaking and photography under Bert Kloezeman and Vivian Sturdee in the Specials Program of Bealart, H. B. Beal Secondary School in London.
He was the first student to be given advanced standing into the Bachelor of Fine Arts second year at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick where he focused on printmaking, sculpture and drawing under David Silverberg and Tom Henderson.
His work has been exhibited in various locations across Ontario and the East Coast of Canada.
In addition to his own work, Ron has nurtured the interests and talents of thousands of students, including his own daughters. While attending Althouse College, he delivered children’s art classes for the St. Thomas-Elgin Art Centre.
Ron was an integral part of the bealart staff for almost 30 years, initially with Junior, Grade 11 and Senior Printmaking classes but eventually turning his hand to Drawing, Painting, Photography, Animation, Design, Sculpture and Art History.
Both before and after retiring from the Thames Valley School Board, he has been a favourite for offering workshops with local public galleries. Ron was instrumental to the development of a printmaking studio in the Woodstock Art Gallery in 2018.
About my art “All of my images work with a visual narrative. However, even if the viewer does not perceive the entire message, he/ she should still find the piece pleasing because of its design elements.
This does not mean that the image has to be typically beautiful. When explaining myself, I often refer to Donatello’s sculpture, The Penitent Mary Magdalene, an ugly figure that was skilfully carved from wood. To me, craftsmanship is part of the message and the design.
A good art piece should grow on the viewer and not become a piece of the wallpaper.” “Three specific themes continue to cycle in the images of my work; nature, technology and history. All are portrayed with a sense of humour. These elements have served me well and have allowed me to employ several different approaches and media over the years.”
Current Artwork For Sale
Barnyard Blues, 1991. intaglio. 18 1/2" x 24". $1100. framed
Landing a Fish, 2020 SOLD
Bronze and found objects. 16"H x 12"L x 10 3/4"W. $1500
I have featured fish in many of my pieces since attending university on the East Coast in the 80s. I enjoy adding a kinetic element to my work; in this case turning the handle makes the fish bob and is similar to the action of reeling it in.
Put out to Pasture, 1991. intaglio. 18 1/2" x 24". $1100. framed
So you Want to be a Bird 5/10, 2019. drypoint. 18" x 24". $1200. framed
Tight Wire Frog, 2014
Bronze and brass. 47 1/2"H x 12 1/2"L x 18 1/2"W. $1500
Frogs are an indicator species meaning that their existence gives us a look into the general health of the environment. The survival of all requires a fine balance, hence the tight wire.
Walking the Line of Possible Extinction 2014
Bronze and brass. 16 3/4"H x 18"L x 5"W. $1200
Similar to "Tight Wire Frog", this sculpture was the result of my concern for our environment. One of the first European images of a rhino was by Durer although he had never seen one. As a printmaker, I admire his work and thought about how our actions as humans have affected these magnificent beasts.
The Woman Behind the Man, 2014
Watercolour sculpture. 4" x 16". $750.00
My maternal grandparents came to Ontario after WWII. They settled in Chesley and opened a "Stedman's" store. They succeeded because both of them worked hard in the business. I always felt that my grandmother was a very modern woman for the time period.
Beer Commercial Gone Too Far, 2018
Watercolour. 11" x 11". $800 ( ask about more available works in this series)
Going to university on the East Coast was a bit of a culture shock. Being in New Brunswick, many of my peers favoured Moosehead Beer. It was in this same province that I first saw one of the largest North American mammals. The homely yet majestic head is a Canadian icon as is the brewery in Saint John founded during the year of Confederation (1867).
Come On In, The Water's Fine. 2021
Watercolour. 10" x 34". $2500
I have fond memories of spring and frogs as a child, whether in the creek near my house or in a local park where my family used to picnic. We collected tadpoles and watched their transformation before releasing them. A recent visit to photograph in the park drew me back to these simpler times.
On Patrol. 2021
Watercolour. 10" x 34". $2500
As an artist, I have been starving for visual stimulation during the pandemic. One of the few places I visited last summer was a small zoo. I happened to photograph a group of guinea fowl searching for food in the long grass. It reminded me of the few tales my grandfather shared regarding his service in WWI, hence the title.
Long Crested Eagle 2002 SOLD
28 x 42".
Pencil crayon on paper.
I find raptors to be some of the most beautiful creatures in nature. I was attracted to the shape of this particular species. This drawing with pencil crayons demonstrates how my technique has developed. I prefer to go in hard with the colour and then smear it. If I want to highlight part of the shape, I continue to go back into it. The seemingly random curved line accentuates the head and harks back to the old masters such as Rembrandt showing that they still had ability by freehanding circles.
Contrapposto Flamingo II, 2021 SOLD
28 x 42".
Pencil crayon on paper.
Flying Fish # 2 (aluminum/steel/wood sculpture) SOLD
Spot aka Stretch, 2022
28” x 48”
Pencil crayon on Paper
$2885.00
Brown Pelican. 2002 SOLD
28 x 42".
Pencil crayon on paper.
I think of drawing as a medium that tends to be small, as in sketch books or preliminary studies. When I suddenly had access to huge pieces of paper I was driven to work on a much larger scale. At the same time, I was playing with the concept of colour swatches or paint chips as portrayed through the scattered tiny shapes in the drawing. Imagine a grand designer behind all the amazing creatures that live around us.
Contrapposto Flamingo I, 2021 SOLD
28 x 42".
Pencil crayon on paper.
Ostrich II, 2021 SOLD
28 x 42"
Pencil crayon on paper.
Ostrich I, 2021 SOLD
28 x 42".
Pencil crayon on paper.