Justice Grace Vineyards' Hero

Solidarity Wines Label Artist, Ronnie Goodman

Life is a Journey. Through all the momentous ups and downs, "blue-bird" surprises, mindful and not-so-mindful moments, and inexhaustible learning, it is clear that Life is not just a race from one end point to the other, but is a Path. An utterly unique, convoluted,never replicated spiritual odyssey.

There are heightened times on this Path where we stand at a crossroads, or life takes us on an unexpected turn. A little over a year ago, at a San Francisco Living Wage Coalition event, I was so very fortunate to meet a beautiful man, Ronnie Goodman, who seemed to be, not just thrashing the arduous challenges of life, but actually embracing them along the way. Ronnie has a wisdom and thoughtfulness that is remarkable, and as Ivan Vera, director of the Hospitality House recently said in this weekend's SF Chronicle article about Ronnie: "He's got a heart of gold, and he is super talented."

Ronnie Goodman was a relative late-comer to art, but is clearly naturally gifted. He imbues his work with the serpentine energy, life, precision and optimism that cascades out of him. He is fortunate to have studied under another masterful Bay Area artist, Art Hazelwood.

Ronnie's talents, energy and perspective were exactly the perfect mix to create Justice Grace Vineyard's wine label for our upcoming brand, to be announced shortly.

I am grateful to have met Ronnie, and am happy to see him earn the accolades he dearly deserves.

Ronnie and mentor Art Hazelwood have a joint exhibit, "Speaking to the Issues," at the Georgia Museum of Art, from June 13, 2015 through September 13, 2015. William Eiland, director of the museum, writes:

"Two California Bay Area artists, Art Hazelwood and Ronnie Goodman, confront and tackle such present-day realities as homelessness, poverty, war, corruption and violence in their art. Consonant with the exhibition of works from Mexico’s Taller de Gráfica Popular and squarely in its tradition of sociopolitical commentary—and, perhaps most important, populist in theme and medium—the linocuts, woodcuts, etchings and books in this exhibition show two skilled artists fearless in goading viewers from complacency or from indifference to injustice."

Copyright Ronnie Goodman