Ronald Martin West was born in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, in 1974. From childhood Ronald have shown a keen interest in art. His formal art training only started in high school, when he joined the PJ Olivier Art Centre from 1989 to 1992, with sculpture as the main subject.

Ronald matriculated from Paul Roos Gimnasium, Stellenbosch, South Africa in 1992. In 1993 he started studying at the Cape Technicon Graphic Design Department.

One night in early 2003, Ronald had a vivid dream, almost a calling. He bought his first art easel the very next day, paint and accessories, and started painting without any formal painting experience. Ronald painted at every chance he was given.

Soon after a well know gallery in Cape Town discovered him and offered a solo exhibition. The exhibition was a sold out, and since then, Ronald was represented by numerous South African galleries.

Ronald paints about 3 to 5 works a month, and only works in oil. His subject matter concentrates on the Mediterranean life style, and the dream world, and mainly his well know plump, fun ladies. And don’t forget the black cat in all his paintings.

His sources of inspiration have been Amadeo Modigliani, Picasso and Van Gogh, and of course life as he dreams it.