Daily Inspiration: Meet Ron Evans

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Evans.

Hi Ron, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ronald Evans, but I go by Ron or RonTheArtist. I was born in the small city of Benton Harbor, Michigan, where poverty is prevalent amongst most of the general population.

As an adolescent, I had a tough upbringing, deprived from me being different from most boys my age. Most boys my age were into sports and athleticism, meanwhile, I was into art, fashion, tv, etc. For those reasons, there was a bit of disconnect between other young boys and I. On the contrary, more girls gravitated to me when it came to my friendships. Ultimately, making me somewhat of an outcast.

Outside of my schooling I would often draw cartoons and watch tv for entertainment. One random day, there was nothing to watch on tv, so I flicked channel to channel, until I ran across a tv show by the name of “America’s Next Top Model”. This show was a gamechanger for me! The knowledge and concept of the show was extremely intriguing to me, encouraging me to put down my drawing utensils, and replacing them with a disposable Kodak camera and fashion magazines. This was the start of my love for fashion and fashion photography.

Due to the city poverty, I witnessed financial hardships amongst my family and my peers. Witnessing it instilled a fire in me to want more and do more, so that I don’t ever have to watch the closest people around me struggle…

Despite the trials and tribulations that I encountered growing up, living in a poor city, I knew that I was destined for SO MUCH more than what I had access to. Knowing that, I was EXTREMELY determined to make my way out of my hometown to chase and obtain my dreams and aspirations.

After graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 2009, my ambitions drove me to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) to major in Photography. Despite being in the “Great Recession” at the time, Grand Rapids held more opportunities for growth and advancement. Even though there were more opportunities in Grand Rapids, it was extremely difficult to find work, forcing me to lean on my parents for financial support for majority of the 3.5 years of residing there.

After receiving an Associate’s in Arts from GRCC in April 2012, I stayed in Grand Rapids for most of the remainder of the year. I remained there until lack of work forced me completely out of the city in December 2012. This caused me to move to Indianapolis, Indiana with my mother, grandmother, and sister, who had relocated there from Michigan just a year or so prior.

During my 4 years of residing in Indianapolis, I was able to effectively find work. I personally grew and learned a bit about life as a REAL adult. Although Indy was comfortable for me, it never felt like home, which is why I chose not to enroll back into college there. I had promised myself that, when I was to go back to college, it would be in a city where I could effectively work on my passions in art and entertainment, while I was in school. At the age of 26, that promise led me to Atlanta, Georgia at Georgia State University (GSU) in January 2017, all by myself.

The move to Atlanta was the BIGGEST leap of faith I had ever taken, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life… I graduated from GSU in December 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (BFA), concentrated in Photography. During my time at GSU, I gained knowledge, I utilized a lot of given resources, and I made a lot of phenomenal connections along the way.

Since I’ve been in Atlanta, I’ve FINALLY gotten the chance to feed my craving of being amongst many other likeminded creatives. In addition, opportunities for growth have been endless, and my personal growth has been tremendous. And for those reasons, I am forever grateful for Atlanta and what it has done for me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road for me, at all! Each city that I had transitioned to possessed personal challenges for me, but the biggest obstacle was in Atlanta. That being said, let’s talk about the year 2020, the year of my college homestretch.

2020 started so tragically for me, yet it ended so beautifully. JANUARY 9TH, 2020, just a half a week away before the spring semester started, I lost my father to coronavirus and pneumonia. Being in the first 100 people to die in the US, from what we know to be COVID-19. My life was changed forever.

After missing the first week of the semester, I came back to Atlanta from Benton Harbor, and got back in line, accordingly… The stakes of me getting that degree were extremely high, being in my home stretch. And there was NO WAY that my father would have wanted me to drop the ball so close to finish line, on his turf. So, I pushed through the grief and pain, making my last three semesters of undergrad my best, academically. Along the way, I turned 30 years of age, my art began to flourish, propelling me to obtain art publications and awards. In addition, I became the Treasurer/Promotions Manager for the GSU Photo Club and obtained a Production Internship.

2020 came with a lot of rewards, and at that finish line of the degree, I felt so accomplished. It just hurt that I couldn’t enjoy that special moment with my father by my side…

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When it comes to creativity, I’m a jack of all trades. For example, the first creative talent I discovered I had as a kid was drawing. It wasn’t until I was a teen when I discovered the love for fashion, photography, and writing. In addition to those, I am currently dabbling in the film/tv world behind the scenes (for now), with production assisting, and directing/creative directing music videos for upcoming musicians.

AS OF TODAY, I am most known for my photography, both fashion photography and fine art photography. Prior to my attendance at GSU, I had been doing photography for about 6 years, and my photo style was all fashion and commercial. Now my current style of photography is like fashion meets fine art. It’s more conceptual and meant to evoke a response from its viewers. My favorite subjects to photograph are people, clothing, architecture, and COLOR. Within all my shoots, I work very closely with my subjects, and I typically style my subjects as well.

What am I most proud of? I’m most proud of my accomplishments and the personal growth I’ve acquired. Such as, taking the leap of faith in moving to Atlanta ON MY OWN, and being the first person to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in my immediate family of both sides. I am also EXTREMELY proud of the milestones I’ve made in the art world. For example, getting my art in exhibitions, winning awards in art competitions (nationwide + international), and getting my art published in magazines (nationwide + international).

What sets me apart from others? My determination, my personality, and my talents. One thing about Ron, he will find a way to make whatever he desires happen, while displaying character, with a sprinkle of creativity on it.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When it comes to networking or finding a mentor in your expertise, you must surround yourself in the spaces of like-minded others. For example, attending events that contain people with the same interests. Once you’ve done that, don’t be afraid to speak or approach others on a friendly tip. For me personally, when I moved to Atlanta in 2017, I was already enrolled in GSU as a Studio major, therefore already placing myself in spaces of other creatives (ranging of experience) like myself. I’m a friendly talkative guy, so I use that to my advantage when it comes to networking, no matter the space I’m in at that moment.

It also doesn’t hurt to send someone an email or a direct message via social media. If there’s someone specific that inspires you that you’ve been watching on social media, or someone that you’d like to learn from, attempt to get their attention (subtly)! You have nothing to lose, and all to gain from the attempt!

Lastly, following specific #hashtags on Instagram is another way of staying in the loop of your interests.

In this day, we have the internet at our fingertips, use it as a resource to advance your life.

Contact Info:

• Email: rontheartist1@yahoo.com
• Website: rontheartist.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/rontheartist

Image Credits
Kitara Amet
Lar’Kara Niakim
S’Maria Gray
Haley Croft
Ruth Sophonie Nana
Wagaki Karaba