Ron van Dongen
				Born in Venezuela 1961
		Website about the artist: www.ronvandongen.com
			Introduction
			Ron van Dongen was born in Venezuela in 1961 but spent his childhood in Warmond, The Netherlands. A heartfelt interest in biology van Dongen attended the Nederlandse Leraren Opleiding in Delft acquiring his degree in Health Sciences and Biology. In 1989, he moved to San Francisco where he revived his scholastic endeavors, only this time to focus on his creative outlet in studying photography at the Academy of Arts College. Under the mentorship of Roger Minick, van Dongen would articulate his skills as a truly fine printer. With regards to subject, van Dongen literally focuses on the complex details of a gardener's haven. His subjects are seemingly common but are indeed often exotic hybrids of flora, which he himself cultivates and nurtures. Comparatively, van Dongen's images are akin to the luxuriousness of Edward Steichen's still-lifes, while breaking beyond the sterile adjunct of Karl Blossfeldt. Coupled with the warm toning of the paper, the resultant images harbor a visual aura, reminiscent of a soft, sweet, lingering fragrance.