Art Chowder : What year did you retire ?
Ron : I retired in 2008 . After directing the very last scene of the very last film of Ed , Edd , and Eddy I put my pencil down . It was 50 years and 1 month since I first picked it up to animate a television commercial in Sydney . That was long enough for anyone . Now I ’ m just doing my second act in life , doing paintings and going around the country selling them .
Art Chowder : What made you decide to start touring ?
Ron : I didn ’ t actually decide , as much as fall into it . When you paint , you like to show your paintings . When you show your paintings , you like to sell your paintings . That ’ s true for every artist . It ’ s as natural as 1-2-3 .
Art Chowder : Do you have any advice for young artists ?
Ron : Unless you want to be a school teacher , or work for the government , under no circumstances should you spend all the money necessary for a four-year art school . Go to art school long enough to control your pencil and your paint brush . Learn how to do that .
As a painter , above all , be true to yourself . If you ’ re looking for a job in animation ? Don ’ t let them say “ No .” Knock on the door and tell them , “ You ’ ve got to hire me .” When they say they don ’ t have enough work right now , come back a week later . Knock on the door , tell them you ’ ve got to work . Don ’ t let them say “ No .” Then you ’ ll be alright !
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