Honoring the work of Ron Bell
Ron Bell, art director for The Tennessee Magazine as well as the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, retired in January after 30 years of sharing his talents with the magazine and its readers. Since starting in 1994, Bell has designed more than 360 editions of The Tennessee Magazine.
“Ron has been an asset for The Tennessee Magazine and the state’s electric cooperatives,” says Chris Kirk, editor of The Tennessee Magazine. “His talents are seen in feature story layouts, illustrations, ads, posters, T-shirts, certificates — even electric co-op logos.”
One of the most iconic staples of the magazine can trace its roots back to Bell. “I hide the flag,” Bell jokingly says about what he has done over the last three decades.
Aside from a career of creativity, Bell has made lifelong friendships and says that’s what he will remember and miss the most. “I might have to pop in the office from time to time just to share a joke or two,” Bell says.
“We wish him years of relaxation, creativity and adventure in retirement,” Kirk says.
While The Tennessee Magazine team will miss working daily with Bell, thankfully the publication hasn’t seen the last of him — or his alter ego “Antsy McClain” — as he plans to continue writing his “My Tennessee Notebook” column.
“I enjoy my career in music, which I will be continuing,” Bell says. “I’ll keep traveling around the country as well as Canada and Europe, playing music as I have since 1992.” You can follow along with Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours at unhitched.com.