Dedicated to the life and art of Ron Chaddock
Dedicated to the life and art of Ron Chaddock
Some have called me a Renaissance man--you know the type--artist, philosopher, writer, religionist, educator, physicist, inventor, wit… blahblahblah. What about dog-lover, foot-soaker, and armchair cynic? If you must, read on--especially if you like sentimental stuff along with Volkswagen humor, Christian art, Einstein, Shakespeare and Ashland, Oregon.
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I started out as a child in Watsonville, CA, growing wiser alongside my brother Richard, enjoying good friends, community, school (Wildcat yell leader -RAH!), and therein finding a lovely bride. Scholarship to art college eventually led to a call with the Lutheran ministry and travels around the country. Son Eric was born in Springfield, IL, Kevin in Seattle, WA, and Rachel in California.
The Oregon Rogue Valley became home in 1965. An entrepreneurial spirit led me to purchase and morph The Old Simpson Hardware Store building on Ashland's plaza into the creative coop marketplace which became Rare Earth. I hung my artist's shingle along with the other craftworkers and, as rumors go, was coined "Mr. Ashland" for a time.
Interest in the visual arts, promoted by a wise mother endlessly feeding me blank paper and coloring tools, became my passion, as it were. You'll see the perpetual pencil or brush in my hand eager to draw, doodle, sketch, paint, collage. Preferred media became watercolor, tempera, and pen and ink. For some 30 years I was designing weekly church bulletins for Lutherans around the country. Then there were book covers and illustrations. And not just covers, mind you, for soon you'd find me writing and illustrating Shakespeare play renditions for children--which I dedicated to my daughter, Rachel--books that turned up in California schools gifted programs.
I'm pleased to say that my paintings and drawings have been widely exhibited throughout the United States. Numerous art shows in So. Oregon galleries have inspired many local residents to sport a watercolor or two on their walls. Someone said, "his landscapes reveal architectural qualities shaped by an early interest in car design." You're sure to find a car doodle in every volume I've ever read.
My singular portrait was of mentor Albert Einstein completed in 1971. This graphite pencil piece was later reproduced with quotes into prints and note cards, which have enjoyed worldwide distribution. In transitioning from painting, I began creating a variety of mixed media statements reflecting "Uncle Albert's" broad appeal in our culture.
My 67-year stint has been rich and replete. As of 2011, the family has grown to six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, while mom continues to inspire them all. And despite the witty words of muse Mark Twain that "the rumors of my demise are highly exaggerated", alas, I eventually took leave of wife, family, and planet in 2003 for yet greener pastures.
EDUCATION
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS