by: Dr. Kirkpatrick Williams

Ron Smith’s hands had always known the language of creation. As a child in Belcher, Louisiana, he watched as his grandmother picked cotton, strengthening his desire to work hard to achieve and make his family proud. He had dreamed of being a cartoonist, filling pages with characters that danced in his imagination. But life, as it often does, had other plans.

The oldest of eight children, Ron learned early the value of hard work. Without a formal tryout, he earned a music scholarship to Mississippi Valley State University, where he majored in graphic design. His uncle, coincidentally his roommate, encouraged him to push his creative boundaries. He spent thirty years shaping designs for others, crafting logos and layouts, until a motorcycle wreck forced him to rethink his path. It was in that moment of uncertainty that he truly rediscovered his art.

Though he had painted for ten years, it was his son, Austin, who reignited his passion. Austin, a student that attended the Digital Institute, showed Ron his latest projects, challenging him to see art through a new lens. Inspired by his son’s shared passion for art, Ron picked up his brushes with renewed purpose, blending his experiences into vibrant strokes on canvas.

For Ron, art is more than a craft—it’s his ministry. He tells stories through each piece, whether it's a rural landscape reminiscent of Belcher or an abstract work inspired by a coworker’s perspective. Every brushstroke is an echo of his journey, a visual sermon of perseverance and faith.

His philosophy is simple yet profound: “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” He shares this wisdom with young artists, urging them not to take opportunities for granted. A friend once told him, “People don’t buy art, they buy your story,” and Ron took that to heart. His paintings are not just images; they are reflections of a life lived fully, with resilience and gratitude.

Today, Ron continues his work, balancing contract graphic design work with his artistry. His journey, shaped by music, design, and an unshakable love for storytelling, reminds him that life is bigger than any single moment. Through his art, he invites the world to see beyond the surface—to the soul of a man who never stopped creating.