Check out Ron Elliott’s Artwork

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

Ron, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am a native of Phoenix Arizona, and have lived here my entire life with no plans to ever leave. For better or worse, this place has made me and owns me. I have always wanted to be an architect. I never wanted to do or be anything else. Inspired and encouraged by my grandmother Jean Pickett, who wanted to be an architect, but she lived in a time when it was not so acceptable for a woman, especially an Italian woman, to practice architecture. Growing up I spent most of my time drawing and making things. I lived in the same house from a small child all the way through college, so in a lot of ways nothing changed, I just transitioned from Crayola and Lego’s, to AutoCAD and basswood models. Design and making has never known boundaries for me. It almost does not matter what it is, I always have an idea about what something can and should be; how something can be improved or something new. I also believe that making or building is an extremely important part of design. They are inseparable. I just have to know that I cannot and should not try to do it all on my own. At home I tinkered quite a bit with building and at school I volunteered for different construction projects every chance I had. I earned my bachelor and master degrees in Architecture from Arizona State University, where I received several design excellence nominations and awards. During my education I interned at Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix, a non-profit organization working with the federal government to stabilize neighborhoods and communities after the housing crisis of 2007. The final year of my education I joined team ASUNM, a collaboration between Arizona State University and the University of New Mexico to compete in the 2013 Solar Decathlon competition. We designed and built a high efficiency solar home named SHADE, which was displayed on an empty lot in Phoenix as an example of appropriate desert living. Immediately after the competition I joined Plus Minus Studio, a small local design+build architecture studio where I worked for nearly the next two years before joining Will Bruder Architects where I would spend the next year. I have been off on my own for a year and a half now, working around the valley as Ron Elliott Studio on mostly residential projects.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I have created a niche for myself restoring and remodeling old or historic homes with modern additions. Sometimes an existing structure just needs a little help. It just needs to be repaired or restored. Sometimes they need a little more; preserving its character while transforming it into something new. A major addition should be uniquely different. It should not pretend to be original, like it has always been there. It is new, It is modern, so it should be. The relationship between the two is very important. They should both feel separate yet connected. Both can be identified, yet be cohesive. I want my work to be honest. It should not try to be something it is not. It should have the confidence to just be itself. At the same time, it should be doing something more. It should evoke emotion. When you stand in the space, it should calm you or it should excite you. It should speed you up, or slow you down, or stop you completely. Even if it is only a subtle effect, there should be something that can be felt.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I feel that I live in an extremely open and welcoming community in downtown Phoenix. There are tons of local events, lectures, and forums to get out into the community and be a part of the conversation. As a city and community, I think we are doing great at creating an open and involved forum for art of all sorts, but I think it is simpler than that. Artists come in all forms and they work in all types of media. If you are looking to get involved in the community, just keep your eyes open and looking for others trying to exceed expectation.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
There are occasionally open houses at some of the properties that I have done for developers or investors. It is a great opportunity to get an extremely close look at the work. Homes that I have worked on for the owner are a bit harder to get a good look at. Normally the only option available here is to be a bit nosy. I post about the projects on my social media accounts too.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 602.550.2097
• Email: ronelliottstudio@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronelliottstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronelliottstudio/

Image Credit:
Ron Elliott

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