Something about the image of a man’s head exploding with magazine paper spoke to me. I can’t imagine why. But after seeing some of Eric Ronshaugen’s art on the RiNo Art District’s website, I just had to learn the story behind these striking paper sculptures.
As I meet with him in his studio on Blake Street, Ronshaugen becomes the first interviewee to offer me a beer. I’m exhausted—still sporting my schlubby day job getup—and the brew is appreciated. Ronshaugen can sympathize with my 9-5 grind. While I take a sip, he opens a drawer in his studio desk, extracting an album packed with old advertising campaigns. Pepsi, Frito Lay, Mountain Dew. All major brands that Ronshaugen developed concepts for during his decades in the industry. Now retired, Ronshaugen can finally turn his creative talent inward, as he labors to depict a hidden life begging to burst forth.
Denverse Magazine: So you used to work in advertising?
Eric Ronshaugen: Yeah, I started a long time ago. Photography, then went to d…
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