Bio

A resident of London, Ontario, Ron Pearce is a self-taught sculptor who began carving as a hobby in 1985. It didn't take long for his hobby to grow into a career. He has experimented with a variety of subjects including small animals, wildfowl, and caricatures, but he is best known for his western-themed, human busts. These dramatic carvings have won numerous awards, including many "Best of Show" honours and the "Best of Masters" award in the 23rd International O.W.C.A. Carving Competition, Toronto, Canada. His pieces have been published in carving magazines with world wide distribution and are included in private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Germany, Scotland, New Zealand and China.

Ron finds the human figure of particular interest because of the opportunity to develop the character as a piece progresses. Deep creases in the weathered skin of a native elder, or the smooth texture of a leather glove--- Ron has become adept at breathing life into a piece of wood.

From 2004 to 2009 Ron added snow to his list of mediums. Twenty ton blocks, some twelve feet high posed different challenges. Larger tools, many homemade were developed through trial and error. Carving snow is a science. Everything based on weather conditions. Ron spent a good majority of the winter travelling as part of a team representing Ontario and Canada. Winning numerous awards along the way. He retired from snow carving at the end of the 09 season to focus on his other mediums.

In 09 Ron started to introduce his drawings and bronzes to his clients and shows. The drawings, mainly pencil or coloured pencil include landscapes and some portraits. Showing that Ron is not only a sculptor but a flat artist as well.

Ron has shown he can be very versatile when it comes to sculpting. Using a negative approach while carving wood, stone and snow where the material is removed requires a great deal of discipline. No mistakes. A bronze takes a positive approach. A medium, usually clay is built up adding as you go. This demands a different skill and Ron has shown he is a master at both.

Bibliography

Chip Chats Woodcarving Magazine 1998

Chip Chats Woodcarving Magazine 2002

Canadian Woodworking Magazine 2002

Lee Valley Woodworking Tool Catalogue (cover) 2003

Lakefield Herald Newspaper (cover) 2003

Lakefield Herald Newspaper 2004

Sarnia Ontario Travel Guide 2006

Calgary Herald Newspaper 2007

OLN TV Interview 2007

Whithorse Star (Yukon) 2008

Denver TV Interview 2008

Denver TV Interview 2009

Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine 2011

Awards

Wood Carving

Mar 98 Best of Show Kitchener On.

Sep 98 People's Choice London On.

Nov 98 Best of Show Brantford On.

Nov 99 2nd Best of Show Brantford On.

Feb 00 Best of Show London On.

Mar 00 2nd Best of Show Kitchener On.

Oct 01 Best of Show Woodstock On.

Oct 01 3rd Best of Show Kingsville On.

Feb 02 3rd Best of Show London On.

Mar 02 3rd Best of Show Kitchener On.

Oct 02 Best of Masters International Carving Competition Toronto On.

Jan 03 2nd Best of Masters Hamilton On.

Feb 03 2nd Best of Show London On.

Mar 03 2nd Professional Kitchener On.

Oct 04 3rd Best of Masters International Carving Competition Toronto On.

Snow Carving

Jan 05 People's Choice Sarnia On.

Feb 05 1st Place Whitehorse Yukon

Jan 06 Honourable Mention Breckenridge Colorado

Feb 06 2nd Place Whitehorse Yukon

Jan 07 3rd Place, Artist Choice Breckenridge Colorado

Feb 07 1st Place Whitehorse Yukon

Jan 08 Kids Choice Breckenridge Colorado

Acrylic Painting

Nov 17 CASO Art Show St. Thomas On.

3rd Place "Rockglen Lower Falls"

Saturday's Peoples Choice "Chillin"

Sunday's Peoples Choice "Sand River'

Mar 18 Paint Ontario Grandbend On.

Best Wildlife "A Gaggle of Drifters"

Best Waterscape "The Majestic Niagara"

Winterstone

Aug 18 Artist Choice for poster advertising 2018 CASO Art Show

Exhibitions

Jun 02 1 Month Solo Innuit Gallery London On.

Sep 05 Carving Demo Carving Gallery Moore Falls On.

Nov 05 Feature Carver Toronto Woodworking Show Toronto On.

Jul 06 Western Showcase Calgary Stampede Calgary Al.

Jul 07 Western Showcase Calgary Stampede Calgary Al.

Jul 08 Western Showcase Calgary Stampede Calgary Al.

May 10 7 Weeks Innuit Gallery London On.

Jul 10 Western Showcase Calgary Stampede Calgary Al.

Aug 10 Carving Demo Carving Gallery Moore Falls On.

Jul 11 Western Showcase Calgary Stampede Calgary Al.

Oct 11 Carving Demo Carving Gallery Moore Falls On.

Nov 11 1 Month Feature Artist Amsterdam Whitney Gallery Chelsea New York City

Feb 12 Feature Artist McMichael Gallery Kleinburg On.

Collections

One piece is in the Hyatt Hotel in Calgary Alberta.

Many pieces in private collections in Canada, United States, Germany, Scotland, New Zealand and China.