Gilbert Ronstadt (1911-1995) was the son of Federico José María Ronstadt
y Redondo and his second wife Lupe Dalton y Vasquez in Tucson Arizona
Territory. He is perhaps best known today as the father of musicians Linda
Ronstadt and Michael J. Ronstadt. His other two children, Peter and
Gretchen, are also talented musicians. While raising his children, Gilbert
traveled widely and painted many scenes of Pima County, Arizona and the
American Southwest, Sonora Mexico, and other places dear to his heart. His
delicate watercolors capture a time when Arizona was making a transition from
the Old West to its modern identity.
Gilbert grew up spending his time between the family
home in Tucson where he was born and the family ranch Las
Delicias, at the base of Baboquivari Mountain. Gilbert
attended the University of Arizona where he met and fell in
love with Ruth Mary Copeman — often riding his horse
from the ranch to the sorority steps where he sang and
played his guitar to win her heart. They were married in
1937 in Flint, Michigan and had four children: Gretchen,
Peter, Linda, and Michael J. He joined with his father to
work at F. Ronstadt Company, the family hardware and
machine business.
All who knew him knew well of his love for music, for at
any gathering he would be found singing and playing. His
art — or "doodling", as he would refer to it —
was not a matter of public record, unlike his community
involvement, musicianship, and metal and jewelry works.
Although he had often illustrated for Tucson High School
publications and had created custom hand-drawn holiday
cards for his fraternity brothers during college, the
multitudes of sketches, drawings, and watercolors that he
generated over a period of 68 years would be shared with
but a select few friends and family.
Tucked away in a drawer — rarely and shyly shown,
the edges were often tattered and the discoloration of time
apparent. But the obvious love he held for the experiences
he had put to paper shone through. He would often laugh and
point out everything that he thought should have been done
differently, but sometimes you could see the glimmer of
pride he felt when you expressed your love for the work.
Occasionally in his mountains and skies you could see the
influence of long-time friend and neighbor Maynard
Dixon...
After Ruth Mary's passing in March of 1982, spending
time with his art helped to paint over some of the
loneliness he was feeling. I remember the look in his eyes
when I brought him an Easter basket full of new brushes and
watercolors and a package of quality watercolor paper that
year. I think it was like trying a candy you once loved,
when you had forgotten just how much you had missed it!
In the years that followed, he was inspired to bring
some of his photojournalism from the past, rough sketches
and ideas, and his new experiences, to life through his
watercolors. They sometimes made it into a mat and frame
that quietly hung on his walls. Some have quietly adorned
daughter Linda's album covers. Some of us were quietly
overwhelmed to be so lucky as to receive one as a gift or a
"thank you", or to receive a hand-made watercolor card on
our packages.
The assortment of his work that we have just begun to
tap into is rich in time and love — be it a simple
sketch on a place mat or a product of a light-hearted day of
art with his grandchildren. Fondly known to all of us as
Papa, he was the glue that held us all tightly together. It
was through his eyes and unconditional love that we knew
who each other was. It was his gentle guidance that often
helped us find our ways.
Ronstadt Designs makes the artwork of Gilbert Ronstadt available as high
quality prints and note cards. Both are printed on heavy weight acid-free
watercolor paper with 100-year archival inks.
The 8-inch x 10-inch prints currently offered are limited
edition numbered and authenticated prints, each carrying an
embossed stamp of authenticity.
We are currently selling the 1st quarter of the edition of
1000 prints, which will ultimately be the most valuable when
the edition is sold out. The prices will go up with each
succeeding quarter of the edition as availability
diminishes.
We hope you enjoy,
— Michael and Deborah Ronstadt
