Ron Hart

Biography

Born and raised in Michigan I had an avid interest in aviation as a youngster. My formal education however was in art and have enjoyed parallel careers as both painter and commercial pilot.

Retiring from American Airlines, after thirty-two years of commercial flying, my painting began to focus on aviation art. Becoming an airline pilot, a lifelong dream, and an aviation artist, is known to be an unlikely combination.

Writing is a brand new adventure which I began with a blog of my childhood memories, acknowledging the people in my life that made a difference for me.

My artworks can be found in collections throughout the United States, Canada and Western Europe. A permanent collection of my aviation art resides at the Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan, near my childhood home.

I currently live and work in Eureka, Montana.

Smashwords Interview

When did you start writing and why?
By normal standards I began fairly recently. Serious writing started a few years ago with a blog shortly after I found a family photo album dating back to the 1940’s. Most of those family members are gone now but I was surprised at how vivid my recollections were of the photos I discovered. I always felt I owned a photographic memory which presented itself when I was actively involved in the art world. My painting process involved visualizing what the end result should look like; which didn’t involve much in the way of experimentation. I was able to re-create the image from my minds eye.
What was a surprise to me was how I was able to create a story out of my memory of the pictures I discovered. I found I could re-create and tell the story of the image or better; I learned how to show the story. I even remembered the smells I encountered as a youth. I am learning what writing creative non-fiction is all about. I am still on the journey.
What is the story behind your latest book?
While putting finishing touches on my first book “Surviving the Cuckoo’s Nest,” I recalled an early life event from my childhood. I lost a boyhood friend that had apparently shot himself with a handgun. It again brought tears to my eyes, which reminded me how tragic an event that was and remains even today after more than six decades have passed. Today, the statistics of children killing children with found handguns have gone through the roof. I’m hoping “Wake Up Now Nation” will help shine a light on and hopefully a solution found to cure the problem.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Ron Hart online

Books

Wake Up Sister Wake Up Now!
Price: Free! Words: 1,020. Language: English. Published: March 31, 2016 . Categories: Nonfiction » Parenting » Family tragedy
"Wake Up Sister Wake Up Now!" is a Graphic Short Story that I hope will help illuminate a cause that has gone long unnoticed. You never forget it after it happens. It happens more than you can imagine and it isn’t a forgettable experience. When I was very young, a close boyhood friend unexpectedly disappeared one day. At his young age, where did my friend get a gun and who did it belong to