Born in Ohio in 1954 to Italian parents who migrated from Italy to the United States, Ron began drawing at the age of three.  In fact, by the time Ron was eight years old, his parents became concerned by reports from school that he spent "too much time daydreaming and doodling" and sent him to military school to help him focus on his studies.

In the 1970's Ron's family moved to Long Island.  For the young artist New York was an incredible place, and he began to work more and more on his art.  Ron also spent many of his summers in Italy, where he spent hours with the "Masters" in museums and galleries.  It was in Italy the Ron solidified his dream that he wanted to be an artist.

Ron Attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he was awarded a scholarship, earned his Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art, and became the youngest instructor at the school, teaching undergraduate courses in illustration and graphic design.

As a freelance editorial artist, Ron has produced work for Ballantine Books, Doubleday, RCA Records, Field and Stream, Sports Illustrated, and Time Magazine.  Ron has also worked for Tiffany & Company in their corporate division, where he was assigned to design the Washington Commemorative Plates, the Battersea boxes for the anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.  He also designed special gift items for Sony, IBM, CVS, and Caesar's Palace.

In 1995 Ron began what would be a major life change.  While vacationing in Italy in the hometown of his parents, he was so drawn to the beauty of the land and the people that he decided to spend some extra time to paint for his portfolio.  In Italy he found "an aura of light rarely seen anywhere else in the world." It was during these months that he met his inspiration and muse, Maria.  Today, Ron is happily married and, when asked about his greatest work, he points to his son, Eric.

Ron is currently working on a series of paintings of New York City and Long Island scenes, which have been published as giclees.  He also has an extensive portfolio of figurative paintings which he says were inspired by El Grecco, Modigliani, and the famed sculptor Giacometti. 

Ron's works can be seen in galleries in the United States and Italy and appear in the permanent collections of many Long Island and New York corporations, as well as the private sector.

George Fertal has been well known for his fine art photography on Long Island for the past ten years, and his work can be seen on the walls throughout the New York Metropolitan Area.  He has also been featured in art galleries across Long Island, and holds private showings to both corporate and consumer audiences.

George's works have been chosen by clients such as Prudential Douglas Elliman Realty, South Street Seaport, Winthrop University Hospital, Dupont Pharmaceuticals, Suffolk County Water Authority and numerous branches North Fork Bank across Long Island, Queens and Connecticut. 

In addition to his artistic accomplishments, George has an interesting professional background which has given him a rare edge on life.   He served 4 years in the United States Navy as a sonar technician and 27 years in the Nassau County Police Department, where he hels a position as a detective, trained by the County and the FBI to specialize in the area of foresics.  He has served over 200 times as an expert witness in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the United States Federal Court.  George holds a BS in Engineering Technology from the State University of New York, and an MS in Professional Studies and Criminal Justice from Long Island University. 

The artist's education and career have given him the ultimate eye fro detail. Self-taught, he is award of the full sendory situation of each and every photograph he takes.  George's love of nature is sincerely reflected in his landscapes, florals and seascapes.  A common theme in his work is the notion of capturing a particular moment in time, as ecidenced by his scenes of New York City and Long Island.