the Art of Painter Ron Fortier

I was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and spent my early childhood in New York City surrounded by art and creative people of various races, ethnicities, and cultures. Pursuing art seemed natural. I received my B.F.A. and M.F.A. in painting and spent several decades in advertising. My work is in public and private collections in the United States and in Europe, where I lived and maintained a studio in Figueira da Foz on the Silver Coast of mainland Portugal. I exhibit nationally and internationally and maintain my studio and residence in the historic seacoast town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. 

My preferred medium is acrylic on stretched canvas. I tend to paint serially and am inclined to investigate a subject or concept several times in succession. The approach to my painting process is expressionistic. Having been a dedicated abstractionist for decades, I continue to concentrate on gesture and mark-making to capture an emotional and psychological rather than a photographic reality. Several techniques have been developed that are involved in the execution of my work. In late 2019, after a long discussion with my wife, I changed the course of my creative exploration and painting towards the objective narrative. 

These days my work is the direct result of personal reflection and candid conversations with my wife, Paula. My lifelong passion for history, my gift of storytelling, and my love of family are now reflected in every stroke of my brush. Each canvas is inspired by the powerful images and emotions of historical events and the family stories we share. Stories of real people affected by situations beyond their control; their dilemmas and the significance of their unique experiences, documented. Andrew Boyd said, "Compassion hurts. When you feel connected to everything, you also feel responsible for everything."