As a release from the pressures of the business world, Ron began to paint animals he photographed in animal shelters. In 1992, he put his house up for sale and found that many prospective buyers were more interested in the art on his walls than in his house. This was how his career as a fine artist began.

Burns’ interpretations of four-legged critters are anything but the expected. He tweaks tradition with his use of bold, overlapping colors and prominent brush stokes to transform otherwise commonplace subject matter. His paintings portray the animals’ distinct personalities. “There’s usually a spark, something in their eyes,” Burns says, “That’s what I try to catch as I paint. I don’t want to show just a colorful dog or cat, but a personality.”

He continues to make a point of visiting the local animal shelters while on the road to appear at a showing or to meet with gallery owners. There he photographs homeless animals which later become the subjects of his paintings. Part of the profits from his paintings are then given to the shelter. He only does this with shelters that do not destroy animals.