Up to 50% off your entire order! Use codes 26MEM50 for $1000+, 26MEM35 for $500+, or 26MEM25 for under $499.

Ron Cole combines authenticated parts of these historic aircraft with his original art in these handmade wall-hanging & desktop limited edition displays - only available in this online store!

Ron Cole - Artist and Designer:

My journey as an artist, designer, and preservationist began in the vibrant creative landscape of Los Angeles, California. It was there that I honed my skills as an industrial designer, product development engineer, and model maker, contributing to projects for esteemed organizations such as Disney, Pixar, Mattel, Boeing, and JPL. This period, from 2001 to 2011, served as an intensive bootcamp in creativity and adaptation, where I managed the construction of the full-scale model of the James Webb Telescope for Northrop Grumman, crafted character study models for Dreamworks and Pixar films, and designed prototypes for Mattel's iconic Hot Wheels and Barbie 'My Scenes' lines. My work also extended to creating scale architectural models for developers, including projects for Las Vegas's 'Mega Wheel' and Rio Casinos, and designing products for Jabra and TechDeck. This decade was a blur of intense work, but it provided an unparalleled foundation in diverse creative disciplines.

During my time in Los Angeles, I pioneered a unique artistic process that seamlessly blends traditional and digital painting. At a time when these mediums were often seen as mutually exclusive, I recognized the strengths of each and developed a method to combine them, leveraging the expressive qualities of traditional art with the versatility of digital tools. This innovative approach became a cornerstone of my artistic output and has served me throughout my career.

My lifelong passion for historic aviation led to the founding of Cole's Aircraft in 2006. Combining my industrial design background with my artistic vision, I sought to offer more than just traditional prints. This led to the creation of my unique line of 'relic displays,' which integrate actual pieces of famous aircraft with my artwork. As I often say, "People want more than just a pretty picture on the wall. I offer them that. I provide people with real history that they can reach out and touch." This innovative concept resonated deeply with collectors, and Cole's Aircraft, and REC@War, incorporated in 2019, has since grown into a globally recognized enterprise, with over 44,000 relic displays sold worldwide by 2023.

In 2012, my family and I relocated to Zanesville, Ohio, a move that allowed me to deepen my connection to local history and community. Here, I established Gallery Luminaria, a non-profit space that showcases my original art and that of my wife, Erin France. My Zanesville local historic art often captures the essence of the region, intertwining with my broader aviation art to tell compelling stories. I am also very active in the local art community, serving as an officer for the Artist Colony of Zanesville (ArtCOZ), which organizes events like the First Friday Art Walks and the Y-Bridge Arts Festival, fostering a vibrant cultural scene.

My commitment to art, history, and community culminated in the vision for the Cole Center Zanesville (CCZ). This non-profit initiative, spearheaded by Erin and me, involves the transformation of the historic 26,000-square-foot former Montgomery Ward building in downtown Zanesville. The CCZ is envisioned not as a traditional museum, but as an interactive destination that will house one of the region's most significant collections of aviation and transportation memorabilia and art. Our mission is twofold: to recognize, preserve, and display Ohio's preeminent role in aerospace development, and to inspire young people in the areas of aerospace, technology, history, design, and art through engaging, hands-on experiences. The Cole Center Zanesville aims to be a catalyst for tourism and education, bringing the world of aviation and design to our community and encouraging direct interaction with historical artifacts, a concept exemplified by our current gallery's "Please Touch" philosophy. This ambitious project, supported by local grants and community partners, is set to open its first phases by 2026, further cementing Zanesville's place as a hub for art, history, and innovation.