We were lucky to catch up with Ramon Ramirez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ramon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I am a painter. I have been a painter since I was a little boy. So the talent was always there. I also went to school and that gave me the confidence to push forward as an artist. It took a while. I studied architecture and art so at first I started as an architectural designer and then I taught at the college level but after many years I finally had the courage to be just a painter. Confidence was the most essential skill.

Ramon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been a painter since the age of 5. I studied at the University of California at Berkeley and earned a Bachelors in Architecture, a Masters in Architecture and a Masters in Art. School was good for me. After my third degree I worked in the field of architecture for about 10 years and then I taught at the college level for another 10 years. And then I was given a solo exhibition at the Carnegie Art Museum and that’s when I decided to dedicate myself to painting full time. I’m most proud of that I use a technology that is 30,000 years old and people still think that my work is relevant. I believe that I am in the realm of shaping culture.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice

NFTs were always a mystery to me. I’m a painter. I use one of the oldest technologies there is known to man. Early on I was approached by many people for me investigate block chain technology but I was never convinced. At my core, it wasn’t what art was supposed to be. I was even ridiculed by some of my peers for not entering the NFT world. And I’m glad I stuck to my core beliefs. I just read an article that says that 95% of all NFTs are worthless. They are not even worth one dollar. The lesson for me is to believe in what you do and realize that art is more than a business or a trend.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A career in the arts means that you have to pivot all the time. I don’t recommend the creative arts as a means to make a living, however, some of us don’t have a choice. I don’t think I can do anything else. I listen to Marketplace on NPR (a business newscast) and that helps me understand the emotional state of the economy a little better. In time I have learned to diversify my output. I produce original oil paintings, but I also make linoleum cut and silkscreen prints. Creativity is a must, output varies. I’m currently working on a 10-foot-long canvas but am in talks with a clinic in Beverly Hills to make high quality giclée’s (reproductions). Hmm, I guess I am a businessman after all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jaguarland.com
• Instagram: jaguarland
• Facebook: Ramon Ramirez
• Linkedin: Ramon Ramirez