Ross Ward’s visual art is provocative, daring, colorful, mind-blowing, seductive, dreaming, psychedelic, and wonderful all at the same time. To really understand the depth of the genius behind his art, one must first grasp Ward’s humble beginnings.
Ross Ward was born to paint, carve and tinker. As a boy growing up in the Midwest, he was captivated by the tiny villages, farms and circuses created by “spare time carvers.” His own miniature world began with circus figures carved while in junior high school. He began carving the first figures for the turn-of-the-century general store in 1962. Ward carved and built his folk art environment as a hobby for most of his adult life but he was even more prolific in his artistic endeavors of painting, etching, drawing and sculpture. A self taught artist, most of his paintings and drawings have remained hidden from the public until now.
Ward’s last 9 to 5 job was with Walker Display Company in 1964 where he honed in his sign painting skills. He lettered trucks, did murals in bars and restaurants, painted mail boxes and spare tire covers. After being laid off from Walker Display, Ward became a show painter for carnivals for the next 25 years, traveling the country painting on all the major carnival shows and in winter quarters from Texas to Florida. He took advantage of his time on the road to collect as many antiques as possible. In 1978, Ward settled on “Tinkertown” as the permanent name for his growing collection of miniatures. His exhibit was initially shown in a sixteen foot trailer at the New Mexico State Fair. However, in the fall of 1983, with the help of his second wife Carla, Ward opened the Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park, New Mexico to the public.
In February of 1998, at age 57, Ward was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and passed away November 13, 2002. The Ward family continues his legacy by maintaining and running Tinkertown in his memory. According to Carla, “The museum is testimony to Ross’ singular pursuit of creating a folk art environment that has joined countless other multidimensional artists around the world.”
The Ross Ward art exhibit will hang through September 30 at the Johnsons of Madrid Gallery, 2843 Highway 14, Madrid, NM 87010, (505) 471-1054, www.collectorsguide.com/johnsons
