The Artist of Happiness

November 19, 2021
Ronaldo Byrd was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is a 32 year old Artist who began painting at the tender age of 3. As an early teen, Byrd was accepted to, and attended Art Instruction School, which boasts graduate, Charles Schulz. He graduated and received a Diploma in Art from Art Instruction School at age 16. While enrolled in the course, Byrd was also attending The High School of Art and Design in New York City, before moving to Burlington, New Jersey. Byrd then was accepted to, and attended Burlington County Institute of Technology, where he majored in, and received a Diploma in the field of Advertising Art and Design. He was then accepted to Hussian School of Art. Byrd has developed his own style of art and his own characters, which he puts in phenomenal scenes. He has shown his work in several galleries, including a solo show at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Byrd and his artwork has also been featured in several newspapers and magazines. One of which includes, The Philadelphia Inquirer. He has also been a feature story on CBS 3 Eyewitness News. Byrd’s message to the world through his artwork, is one of love and acceptance. His hope is to convey this as boldly and as beautifully as he can.

Pledge to Take Action

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.

Pledge to Take Action