Recent still life and figure paintings to be shown at Ron Cheek’s second exhibition at Valley House Gallery.

Fort Worth artist Ron Cheek was inspired to paint in a color theory class while studying architecture and design at Texas A&M University. He continued to paint while earning his master’s degree in counseling. From 1997 to 2000, he satisfied his desire for a classical art education by completing a program at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy. Since returning to Fort Worth in 2001, his figurative and still life paintings continue to be influenced by his interest in psychology, religion, and classicism. In 2007, Cheek founded the Texas Academy of Figurative Art to teach traditional painting techniques.

“A ‘valley’ is often used as a metaphor for struggle. Struggle that has meaning often leads us to a greater vision. I have learned through my own trials that one’s vision can be refined while in the valley. These paintings are as much about looking up and outward as they are about seeing the difficulty in front of us. They are also about overcoming what binds us. The reoccurring imagery of children represents innocence and naiveté; they reflect my hope and optimism in the face of hardship.” R. Cheek, 2008