Ronnie started painting in 1971 with the founding group of Papunya painters, and became an important influence on the outstation movement. Over the years moving between Papunya, Yuendumu and Mt Doreen Station, Ronnie spoke to many people about returning to traditional lands, a move that was made possible with the establishment of a Pintupi township at Kintore in 1981. Ronnie moved there with his family in the early 80s and later became Chairman of the Kintore Outstations Council. After a break of several years he resumed painting, and has since emerged as one of Papunya Tula Artists' major painters. By the late 1980s and early 90s his distinctive graphic style attracted considerable attention. In these later works his delicate, dotted Tingari designs have been transformed into bands of colour to dazzling optical effect. His paintings are remarkable for their vigour, bold designs and sense of profound spirituality. He works with the concentric circles of the classic Pintupi iconography and maintains power and an energetic rhythm throughout.

He has participated in many group exhibitions, and in 1988 he won the Alice Springs Art Prize He was included in the 'Australian Perspecta 1993' at the Art Gallery of NSW. Ronnie's many successes have won him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the masters of desert art. His work has been shown in international exhibitions many times and he is represented in major public and private collections.