Biography
Born in Eupora, Mississippi, Ronnie Thomas was always fascinated with all types of art. As a child, he specifically had a love for drawing and building. Ronnie originally intended to study graphic design at Mississippi State University, until he enrolled in sculpture class and reconnected with the process of building. It was only natural to make the switch to be a sculpture major. He made his first metal figure sculpture in 2013 and his first ceramic figure sculpture in 2015. Ronnie looks forward to graduating from MSU in May of 2016.
Ronnie labels himself as a figurative sculptor. He re-interprets what he sees into something from his own imagination. Ronnie's goal is to have the courage bring his mythological world into existenc with his art.
Artist Statement
Sculpture is the one thing that best conveys self-expression. Ever since I was young, I was captivated by anything that put off an air of fantasy. Even in high school, I was good at every subject, but the only one that interested me was art. Over the years it transformed from a hobby to art. I am always thinking of things to make because I love to do things with my hands and build unusual creations. Sculpting gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing that I can make something beautiful from scraps and unexpected materials. They must also be examined up close so as to recognize unexpected details.
As a sculptor, I desire to entertain and fascinate others by translating the traits and characteristics of ordinary people into mythical proportions using my sculptures. I think of my artwork as the things people want to make but just don’t. While I have an affinity for fictional creatures, my works are concepts from the deepest parts on my mind inspired by fairy tales, Greek, Roman and Egyptian culture. Object association is also key to the creation of most of my work since it identifies hidden qualities with parts of the sculpture and can help the viewer create their own reality where the piece is a part of them.
Resume
Education
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Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS
Pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture
August 2011–Present
Expected graduation: May 2016
Skills & Software
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Drawing: Pencil
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Wood-working
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Welding
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Ceramics: Hand-building and Wheel-throwing clay
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Printmaking: Relief and Intaglio
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Acrylic painting
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Felting
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Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
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Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
Awards & Honors
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MSU Academic Scholarship
2011
Community Service
MVNU2MSU
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Helped students move into their residence halls at the start of the school year.
August 2015
Work Experience
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Freelance 2D
Concept Drawing
Fall 2012
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Tom’s Cleaning
Summer/Part time job
Manassas, Virginia
Summers 2012 and 2013, December 2013–January 2014
References
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Frank Critz Campbell
Associate Professor and Sculpture Concentration Coordinator, MSU Department of Art
662.275.1064
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Patrick Tranum
Shop Technician, MSU Department of Art
662.352.2970
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Robert Long
Professor and Ceramics Concentration Coordinator, MSU Department of Art
662.325.3677