 Ron Elstad's art work, such as that of good wine, has improved decisively during his thirty years as a professional artist. He began his profession soon after graduating from Santa Ana College in 1976 with an AA degree in communications. His first segment was a twelve year period as a freelance illustrator. In 1989 he turned his efforts toward his long time dream of being a painterly-style fine artist. Ron's first action was to engage in studies with Dan McCaw. He further supplemented these studies by the teachings of the well-known American impressionist’s masters of the turn-of-the-century. He did this by making intense studies directly from there original paintings. The knowledge and emotional inspiration achieved from these intense studies ignited the fires in his creative soul. This and other similar ignitions along the way have proven invaluable in culminating the integral quality and great beauty found in his paintings today.
Because of the hard work and dedication invested he went on to achieve a higher degree of excellence which is realized by his numerous awards. Among these awards are two gold medals and a best of show, which he won at the Society of Illustrators' prestigious annual Illustrations west show in 1989. Being a best of show winner, he was presented with the "Joseph Henninger award". This award was the highest and most prestigious award given to an illustrator on the west coast at the time. Ron's "best of show" painting received further acclaim when it was published full page in Communication Art Magazine, which was a highly regarded publication in the industry. Later he went on to win a bronze award from Art of California Magazine's discovery awards competition in 1993-94. Some time later he was accepted by a jury of his peers to participate in the first, second and fourth annual Oil Painters of America exhibit in Chicago Illinois. Because of this achievement he was bestowed the honor and privilege of a signature membership status. Furthermore, Ron is also a long time standing artist member of the renowned California Art Club.
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