PITTSBURG — For decades, Ronald S. McDowell has created artwork for celebrities and world leaders, sculpted statues of civil rights icons and Motown legends, and even taught Michael Jackson how to draw. But now, he is on a mission to leave a legacy of his work in his hometown through the creation of a new mural.
Over the years, McDowell said he has created over 14,000 original works of art and received numerous awards nationwide. Still, he is often associated with being born and raised in Alabama, where he has lived for over 30 years.
“That’s the problem when you work so much around the country. People think (I) was born in Birmingham or raised in Chicago, but that’s not the truth,” said McDowell.
So, when his childhood friend Willie Moffett Jr. approached him about creating a mural — one that honors the city’s past, present, and future leaders — McDowell did not hesitate.
McDowell hopes his work will firmly establish his roots.
“I want a lot of (my artwork) here in Pittsburg so people can say he’s not from Birmingham,” said McDowell. “He’s from Pittsburg, California!”
Moffett, president of the Pittsburg Youth Development Center, had the idea for the mural as he reflected on global shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Moffett wanted to honor the people who made a difference in the community.
“I knew I wouldn’t have nobody else do this project,” said Moffett. “This man is a jewel. He has the gift from God because when he touches something with paint, he brings it to life. His heart is in the community.”
Moffett said growing up in their childhood neighborhood of El Pueblo, McDowell was well-known among locals as he was always “scribbling” on something.
“All the kids followed Ronald around as he drew,” Moffett recalled.
To cement McDowell’s legacy, a 230-foot-long mural, themed “A Time to Heal — Past, Present, and Future,” is being painted on the walls of the youth development center. Due to weather, it has been in the works since 2022. McDowell said unlike indoor murals, outdoor ones depend very much on the temperature.
“If it’s too hot, the paint sticks to the brush; if it’s too cold, it won’t stay on the wall, so the temperature has to be absolutely right outdoors,” said McDowell. “I want this to be perfect and make sure that we don’t leave anybody out.”
McDowell said the mural will be completed sometime in October with an official unveiling to the community to follow.
Moffett hopes to place benches nearby so people can admire McDowell’s artwork.
The mural, divided into two sections, features a diverse array of notable residents. It also pays tribute to rising stars from Pittsburg, including young athletes, students, and artists who are making their mark in various fields.
Among those honored include Dorothy Stanton, broadcaster at KDIA; Taylor Davis, a former Pittsburg police chief; the late Willie Mims, a lifelong educator and longtime East County NAACP education chair; Olympic gold medalist Eddie Hart; Federal Glover, a former Contra Costa County supervisor; Shanelle Scales-Preston, who succeeded Glover; business owners Terry and Bill Munoz; and former Pittsburg Mayor Marilyn “Merl” Craft.
Apart from the mural, McDowell’s artwork can be found all over Pittsburg and Bay Point, such as at the Creative Arts Building, the Marina Community Center, the Diablo Energy Storage facility, Riverview Middle School, Los Medanos College, and multicultural medallions on benches outside Pittsburg City Hall. He also teaches senior citizens and youths at the development center whenever he has time.
Growing up as one of nine children, McDowell packed his bags in the 1970s and headed to Los Angeles. A chance encounter with DeBo Armstrong, the nephew of jazz artist Louis Armstrong and friend of Joe Jackson — Michael Jackson’s father — led to a friendship with the Jackson family.
“(Michael) told me he saw my artwork all over Hollywood and wanted to meet me. He asked if I could give him art lessons, and I said, ‘No, because you’re Michael Jackson!’” McDowell laughed, reminiscing about his encounter with the “King of Pop.”
McDowell even designed the iconic red jacket worn by the late Jackson in his music video for “Thriller.”
Throughout the years, McDowell has never forgotten his dear old friend and still feels the void left by Jackson’s passing
“I’m still crushed. Michael still comes to me in my dreams. It’s like he’s telling me to keep doing what I’m doing,” said McDowell.
Despite his natural gift, McDowell, a self-taught artist, faced obstacles in pursuing formal education in the arts. He was turned away from three prestigious institutions in New York and Chicago.
“I was crushed, honestly, when they said no,” he said.
But his passion for art kept him going. As a child, McDowell used to bug his two older brothers, who were talented artists, to teach him how to draw.
“I wanted to draw a lion, like my big brothers, and get people to like me, but it always looked like a mouse,” he chuckled.
McDowell’s father and grandfather were also talented artists but never made their work public.
“They never took it publicly like I did because I had the passion. Just like Michael (and his siblings) were gifted, but he had the passion that made him excel and want to do better and do more,” said McDowell.
On Feb. 18, the Pittsburg City Council honored McDowell for his outstanding contribution to the arts, education, and community.
“I’ve been doing murals here since 1974, and this is the first proclamation I got from the city,” he said.