One of my early drawings (scratchboard) from when I was 13 years old.

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I have never wavered with my work, having at least 2 pieces in progress at any given time over these last 40 years or so, and have recently retired from corporate design to pursue my love of teaching while pursuing my own personal artistic endeavors and personal growth.

 

I have been influenced (and compared in local art reviews) with the likes of M.C. Escher vis a vis my print and ink drawings and  Salvador Dali and Bosch with regards to my paintings. Needless to say, it’s rather flattering. Other influences include Michelangelo, DaVinci, and Van Gogh as well as the more recent contemporary painters and illustrators such as James Christensen, Chris Van Allsburg, and Roger Dean. I have studied each of these artists intensively and I embrace their diversity of style and subject matter, which is often expressed and actualized through my own work and creative expression.

 

My work has been featured in exhibitions throughout the Pittsburgh region and although I do not produce much of my work or subject matter for sale to individuals, some have been acquired and are a part of permanent collections in the Tri Sate Area. The portraits of course are the obvious exception and are produced on a commission basis.

 

Recently retired from Waynesburg and LaRoach Universities where my classes were delivered to both Major, Minor and Non Art Degree students, I was humbled often by my students, their art work and their integration of what they have learned into who they are as people.  I am similarly humbled by some of their remarks regarding their engagement in my classes.  As a frame of reference, a few of these remarks follow.

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“You have inspired me every day to push myself beyond my comfort zone and I am shocking myself everyday with the work I am producing.  It really is all thanks to you.  I don’t know if you realize how wonderful of a teacher you are but I am here to remind you that you have made me grow into the artist I am today and are to thank for the artist I will become.  Thank you for everything!”

                Jenna

 

“You have helped me more than you will ever know. Art has really helped me grow as a person: you are such an inspiration to me and every other student you come in contact with. Thank you for having such a positive impact on my life! Please continue to inspire others like you have inspired me.”

                Anastasia

 

"I learned so much from You. You taught me skills that really improved my painting style. You not only encouraged me in my art work, but challenged me to be even better. You helped me discover my love for painting, only great teachers can do this!”
Again thank you so much for being such a great teacher and taking the time to help me discover a new passion of mine.”
               Brooke

 

“You don’t only teach us how to be better artists, you teach us wisdom!”

                Hannah   

 

"You have truely been an incredible teacher & mentor to me as an artist. because of you I have confidence in myself and in my art. You have pushed me in all I do. I know I will be a great art therapist because of you."

                 Jen

 

“You have put a fire under my butt and really shot my passion to the roof for art, with your direction and constructive criticism. You have been a major influence and mentor to me, providing wisdom and encouragement that I’ll never forget. In my acrylic, watercolor and drawing classes my passion for drawing and painting grew and it was obvious to me how my skills were improving tremendously enabling me to easily transfer over to other classes outside of your curriculum such as sculpture and ceramics significantly!”

                Tanner

 

"You're Awesome!"

                Megan

"I'm loving the classes!  This was the best one yet.  All of this is new to me.  As always great job.  I can certainly see why everyone wants to take your class."

               Maureen

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"Thank you for all you have done for me over these last 4 years. I've learned more about art and life then ever thought I could. You have been the greatest teacher and I'll miss you."

           Maggie

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"Thank you so much for all of the encouragement and guidance you have given me over the past four years. I would not be the artists I am today if it wasn't for you. I know I'll be needing your guidance through grad school. I hope I make you proud with all my future endeavors." 

   Emily

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"Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I never thought I could perform any artistic functions. You have developed my confidence to draw and paint. That is something I have always wanted to do." 

Kevin

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"Ron we are among the privileged to have you as a teacher."

Joan

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Please review my Linkedin page for my business partner testimonials.

 

CVM

 

Professional Experience

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8/13- 12/22

PROFESSOR OF DRAWING, PAINTING, PRINTMAKING

Waynesburg University, LaRoach University

Pgh, PA

Development and delivery of various fine art coursework to both graduate and undergraduate students- Drawing, Pastel, Painting, (Water Color, Acrylics, Oils), Printmaking

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7/10-1/13

SR. MANAGER OF PACKAGING, BRAND AND DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS

Ainsworth Pet Nutrition

Meadville/Pgh. PA.

Responsible for brand creative strategy, design of promotional, packaging, and sales literature development for Ainsworth private label accounts and own brand line of products inclusive of brand positioning, design, prepress, marketing and engineering testing, print, market research support, package engineering specifications, production management, quality incoming inspection of finished print, and all associated packaging supply chain management requirements. Work collaboratively with Marketing, Agencies, Printers, Procurement, Sales, R&D, Quality and Operations in the positioning and deployment of new products into the marketplace inclusive of Rachael Ray’s Nutrish, Better Than Brand, Source, Back to Basics, among others.

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7/09-7/10

VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AND DESIGN MANAGEMENT

Source Inc. (Strategic Brand Design Consultants)

Chicago, IL

Provide account management, lead generation, CRM, and business development support.

Review and present all proposals both creative as well as written to ensure strategic alignment of the creative deliverables. Assist in both strategic and creative brainstorming meetings, scheduling, presentations, and all on-going client and prospect management support. 

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8/06- 7/09

DIRECTOR OF DESIGN AND PACKAGING

DelMonte Corporation 

Pittsburgh, PA

Responsible for design, production management, training and mentoring marketing and design staff for all packaging and in-store branding initiatives inclusive of need assessment and evaluation, market research support, product naming and positioning, purchasing and negotiation, packaging and POP creative conception, design management, packaging production management, labeling development, digital file preparation/archiving and related quality control requirements for many popular U.S. and Canadian branded consumer products inclusive of Kibbles and Bits, Milkbone, Meow Mix, Starkist, 9 Lives, among many other well recognized consumer branded products.

 

Managed $6,000,000.00 yearly budget on design, graphic arts and print requirements. 

 

Manage, supervise, coach, and direct a staff of 5. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________1/92-8/06

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING DESIGN SERVICES

GlaxoSmithKline Corporation (Consumer Health Division)

Pittsburgh, PA

Responsible for design and creative development for all branding, sales support, packaging, point of purchase, training and mentoring of marketing and design staff, print management and misc. consumer communication inclusive of needs assessment and evaluation, market research support, product naming and positioning, purchasing and negotiation, creative conception, graphic art management, design and photography direction, production coordination, digital file preparation/archiving and related quality control requirements for many popular global branded consumer products.

 

Directed the efforts of Marketing, Promotions, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Operations, Medical, Product Development, Engineering, Purchasing, Quality, Planning, and related external resources in brand and product development for all U.S. produced and worldwide distributed GSK Consumer Products inclusive of Aquafresh, Nicoderm, Nicorette, Sensodyne, Tagamet, TUMS, among others.

 

Invented, designed, branded and named the Aquafresh Flexosaurus toothbrush which was a leading product in the oral care category for 3 years and distributed in over 30 countries.

 

Managed $5,000,000.00 yearly budget on design and graphic art services and supervise, and direct a staff of 26. (6 Direct Reports)

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Misc. Experience

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PAINTING AND DRAWING INSTRUCTOR

Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Sewickley, PA

Teach adults misc. drawing and painting courses

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VOLUNTEER DRAWING INSTRUCTOR

Passavant Luthern Care Abundant Living

Zelienople, PA

Teach senior citizens. drawing and painting courses

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Education

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Art Institute of Pittsburgh -Associate in Commercial Art and Design

Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park College- Associate in Marketing

Pittsburgh, PA

Westminster University- Harrow Business School -Masters- International Design Management

London, England

 

Memberships

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Associated Artists of Pittsburgh

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