Ronald West - 1974 Western Cape

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RONALD WEST
Born 1974 - Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

From childhood Ronald has shown a keen interest in art. His formal art training only started in high school, when he joined the PJ Olivier Art Centre from 1989 to 1992, with sculpture as the main subject.

Ronald matriculated from Paul Roos Gimnasium in 1992. In 1993 he started studying at the Cape Technikon, in Graphic Design. Ronald was soon confronted by the linear and analytical side of the Graphic Design course and realized that a diploma in Graphic Design would mean to be restricted to a desk. He only finished his first year and then had an 8 year absence from art.

By 2002 Ronald had been working for a very well-known office automation company for several years. That year his wife, Jolene, bought him his first art easel. Ronald painted at every chance he was given. One night in November 2002 Ronald was awakened by such a vivid dream that he knew he could not go on with his life as a salesman. He had to pursue his heart’s desire, art! On that Monday he resigned and took up his brushes and paint and has never looked back since.

One of Ronald's paintings was used in a competition in the November/December issue of the Kaap Rapport and three of his paintings were used to create the wine lable series 'Fat Ladies'.