Check Out Ronnie Townsend’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronnie Townsend.

Hi Ronnie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My story is a very interesting one. I dabbled in art as a child and was always fascinated by nature, colors, and creation in every aspect of everyday life. When I speak about creation, I am referring to all aspects of it, including mother nature, automobiles, arts and crafts, and culinary arts! It has always amazed me how much beauty we are surrounded by in our world. Sometimes, we just have to take a step back and look around us. Beauty is always present, and we just have to tune into it.

My parents always encouraged me and my siblings to let our creativity flow. I can remember my first coloring book and filling up the pages as a kid. I could not always stay inside of the lines when coloring, but I made sure to add as much flare to each page as I possibly could.

I can remember my art teachers way back in elementary school. One art teacher’s name was Ms. Crawford, and she was by all means a hoot! She had silver hair, large-framed black glasses, and a personality that could light up a room.

The first art project that I can remember with her was painting a pineapple. She was so enthusiastic as she demonstrated to all of us students the colors to use and the painting techniques. When we were all finished, she praised each student for exercising their creativity. One thing that was unique about Ms. Crawford, was the fact that she did not judge the art of any of the students. She always emphasized that our art reflected our own unique skills and talents. This is something that has never left me, and I now have this viewpoint when viewing the art of other artists.

Many role models from family, fellow artists, and friends have helped me get to where I am today. Today, I am an active Painter, Virtual English Teacher, and Event Technology Specialist, and I have an Etsy shop where I sell my paintings online.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would be telling a tale if I said that it has been a smooth road being an artist.

I remember my first paintings, and I have kept them until this day to remind myself of my growth over time. In those first paintings, you are able to see that I was in the early stages of learning how to paint and also developing my own signature style. I had to take a step back and be open to criticism from my art instructors, as well as my peers and family. Criticism can be so uncomfortable, but I have learned that if the criticism is genuinely constructive then we can take something from it and grow!

From those first paintings, I began taking art classes on shading techniques, and depth, as well as learning new modalities of painting. I learned how to channel my energy into each and every painting. It does not stop there, as I feel that we as human beings are always learning and growing in many different ways.

Another thing that I remember is receiving encouragement from many around me to further engage with my artwork and to start up an Etsy shop. On the flip side, there were naysayers that told me I would be burnt out if I worked full-time and also ran an Etsy art shop. I have learned two things, the first being that there will always be people with opinions when you are on your journey and starting something new. It is up to you to decide what energy you will accept and internalize, and what energy you will let flow into the wind. The second is that it takes strength to follow your heart and go for your dreams, so I commend anyone who is following their path and living out their passion!

No matter how hard it gets, keep your head up and keep going! Always remember that the hard moments help us grow and make us stronger.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Outside of my life as an artist, I am a full-time Event Technology Specialist in the International Education Field. I have been working in this industry for a total of 5 years. One thing I really enjoy about working in this field is the fact that the work that I and so many others do is meaningful and impacts the world in a positive way.

In my job specifically, I work with designing and supporting International Education conferences, project management, web and app design, and training regional volunteers. I enjoy working with a diverse staff, and stakeholders from around the globe.

What sets me apart from others, is that I try my best to prioritize each and every project and to put 100% into the work that the project team is doing. At the core of the work that we do, teamwork is the fuel that makes everything work! I try my best to motivate each team member and to make sure they have what they need to do their best work.

What do you think about luck?
The role of luck has played an interesting way in business. I would say that I experienced good luck in being surrounded by encouraging mentors. When I first started my art business, I was honestly clueless. The first thing that I needed to learn about was marketing. It is one thing to paint something, but how will you market this painting to an audience of interest? Many of my mentors taught me about marketing, the impact of photography, advocating for your brand, and also how to properly price paintings. This was not a quick process, but it took a good amount of years for me to take this advice from my mentors and to put it into reality.

My mentors also encouraged me to get out on the local art scene by applying to be an exhibitor at local art festivals, art shows, and community events. This really has really helped with building a presence in my state and community within the art scene. I also enjoy meeting other artists and seeing their creativity flow!

Mentors are a huge help when growing as an artist. I always love listening to the stories of other artists on how their mentors have impacted them. I have also tried my best to offer encouragement and advice to upcoming artists as much as possible. I always strive to remember humility and my roots! A streak of luck goes a long way, and I find that we never forget these moments!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpiritualArtsCo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnie-townsend-ceps-33588811b