My name is Ronaldo Byrd, and I am an artist who just happens to be on the Autistic Spectrum.
As a child, I did not speak at an early age, but at three years old, I could draw very well. Being bullied was a big part of my schooling, not so much in elementary school, but in middle and high school. There were some of my peers, however, who recognized my abilities in art, and who admired me because of this.
Fortunately, I had a very involved and supportive family, my mother in particular, who focused more on my strengths in art than on my weaknesses. I also had very supportive teachers. Even though it was difficult at times dealing with my “disability” and the bullying, at a young age, I realized that I had something to offer to the world and that other people did, too. I realized that we are all unique and special in our own way. Even though I realize that there is bad in the world, I learned to see the good in others and I depict this fact in my artwork.
I use bold and bright colors to show that the goodness in people and in the world far outweighs the bad. My scenes depict my “ideal world” and I have often been described as the “Artist of Happiness” because my artwork makes people happy.
Despite, my frequent social awkwardness and my inability to communicate effectively, sometimes, I speak through my artwork, which depicts a hope for the future and for the future of generations to come.
