Name: Ron Bass Profession: Visual Artist/Designer Age: 31 One Word That Describes You: Love Ron Bass is a free spirited individual hailing from Brooklyn, NY who is inspired by all things emitting love. In the wake of the loss of his beloved parents the creative non-traditional artist found his passion and peace of mind through art. With his distinct love for DIY (Do It Yourself), Pop Art and Fashion his core inspiration draws from the work by legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Mark McNairy and Jeremy Scott. The love Bass has for art combined with his creativity have made his designs a sought after item amongst the world's top entertainers. Bass's latest work has made its way to the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Swizz Beatz, Rita Ora and Victoria Secret Model Cara D to name a few. His goal is to one day leave a mark on art and fashion culture by showcasing love for thyself and others while creating pieces that will inspire the masses. At the age of 19 Bass suffered the devastating loss of both parents within three years of each other. This left him in an extremely dark, cold and lonely place. "I was at low and dark point in my life but I later realized that place was far from what my parents wanted and fought for when it came to me'" says Bass. "So I used their lives and what they left behind as inspiration in my art and in my life. Strength, hustle and the will to win even when our backs are against the thickest walls, are the qualities a BE Modern Man has in him to fight through." Equipped with creativity, the support of those close to him, and the inspiration of his parents to guide his work, Bass began to do what came natural. Create. "My peers, family and friends were more than supportive and some saw the creativity in me before I saw it in myself," Bass tells BE Modern Man exclusively. "At times you don't realize how supportive your loved ones are but when you do its one of the greatest feelings in the world. To make the people that's rooting for you proud means everything to me." With the support of many, there was still a hurdle that he had to overcome, and still has to confront today. Himself. "The most challenging thing has been myself. I am my biggest critic and my biggest naysayer while also being my biggest fan and my biggest motivator. It's very challenging to go back and forth with yourself over and over again on making the right decisions. But in some aspects it's a good thing because I've taken away the acknowledgment of so called life challenges. There's no such thing to me. I take what I'm given and I approach how I see fit. This may not work for others but somehow it works for me." Read on to learn more about how Ron shares his artistic talents with the community... Not one to simply paint on a canvas, bass is using his broad brush to leave a mark on young adults and people in his community through powerful speaking engagements and his preaching prowess. "We have to go to them,"says Bass. "Visit their schools, show up at their sporting events, comment on their social media pages, figure out ways to involve them in the gift we were given. Show them that there is no difference between you and I." Getting to our young people early and often begins to set up the building blocks for success. "Speaking from experience, I'm a firm believer that education is the most important part of success. The ability to be taught opens the mind and allows you as the individual to be versed and fundamentally prepared for what you want to get into. Whether it's an institution, self taught or by trade, the education of your craft is key." One of Bass's favorites books is "The Game of Life and How to Play it" which helped instill an inner peace, and bring out the confident man that Bass is today. You can either sit on the sideline while the game of life is being played, or lace up your sneakers and get in the game. Throughout the game there will inevitably be victory, triumph, defeat and setbacks, but you have to keep playing. "At one point I thought I had it all figured out," says Bass. "My business was doing well and I was selling my art daily. For a moment I was content and shut down all outside help, but it took me back to when my mom told me, "2 minds". I sat down with one of my best friends who had a bigger vision for my brand. Skeptical at first I prayed on it and let it go. I later allowed his help and vision to be a part of my brand and because of that it took my brand to new heights. A place I couldn't get to on my own. The power of the right help can change your life." Breaking into the fashion industry is no easy task. You have to be a business person. "To me, a BE Modern Man is a leader, risk taker, enthusiastic and powerful. A man who understands his position and has the will to win even in his losses." Art and fashion is the game Bass chooses to play in. The BlackEnterprise.com team salutes Bass on his ability to draw inspiration from a tragic loss and turn this into a masterpiece for the world to see. The Ron Bass brand is a display of peace, love and power which artistically represents what is inside us all. It's our normal to be extraordinary. Follow and join the BE Modern Man conversation at #BEModernMan twitter @blackenterprise