Ron Monroe

I’ve been drawing for as long as I’ve been able to hold a pencil. At six years old, my four older brothers told me I had real talent, and that simple moment set the course for my life as an artist. I never took art classes in high school — I was busy with band and jazz band — but I kept drawing constantly, just for the love of it.

After graduating, I joined the Army to earn the GI Bill and help pay for college. I later attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where everything shifted during my second‑semester painting class. My instructor noticed I was struggling with color and told me I was likely colorblind. I had learned about it when I first entered the Army, but I never imagined it would affect my art until that day.

Facing the reality of spending a lot more money on a degree I wasn’t sure would lead to a career — and wondering who would hire a colorblind artist — I made a difficult decision. I returned to the Army and served another eight years, continuing to draw throughout my service.
When I realized color wasn’t going to be part of my artistic toolbox, I decided to lean into what was — and make the absolute most of it. If life hands you lemons, you make lemonade, and for me that meant becoming the best black‑and‑wh...

Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale, (a small stint)