Iris Nowell, Painters Eleven: The Wild Ones of Canadian Art, Vancouver/Toronto, 2010, page 75
A vibrant example of William Ronald’s mature period of work, “Abstraction” showcases the artist’s love of energetic colour vibrating off the canvas. Executed with neon oranges, yellows, and pops of contrasting greens, the work is charged with life and movement. As the artist progressed in his career, the application of paint took on a more spirited approach with splashes of paint flicked onto the canvas, drops and drips of pigment peppering the image layer. With an electric energy, this work seems to emulate the artist’s own uniquely provocative personality. On his later works, Ronald notes: “Now I’m creating the best work I’ve ever done. I know what I am doing.” Rather than feel in a state of development and flux, Ronald attests to his self-actualization as an artist in these later abstract works.
