Rudy Ramirez has been a practicing artist for much of his life. The 74-year-old began with an appreciation for drawing, but was truly inspired by his father’s cousin after he showed him photos of his artwork.googleoff: all
“One particular painting was a mural he painted in his living room wall,” says Ramirez. “It was a scene of Manolete, a famous matador from Spain who was on his death bed after being gored by a bull.”googleoff: all
Ramirez went on to join the Marines and went to Vietnam, an experience that impacted his work as an artist.googleoff: all
“In some of my earlier drawings I depicted death on my etchings and drawings but I did them in an abstract way to avoid being too gruesome,” he says. “I would include the American flag on some of my drawings. And I still do.”googleoff: all
After leaving the service, Ramirez attended Valley College and Cal State San Bernardino. He explains that he had always wanted to pursue a career as an artist and that because the G.I. Bill would allow him to go to school, he decided to take advantage of it googleoff: all
Ramirez began working as a civilian for the U.S. Air Force as a sign painter with the Civil Engineer Squadron at George Air Force Base in Victorville. His work consisted of hand lettered signs, but also included caricatures and a mural. After stints at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert and what would eventually become March Air Reserve Base, Ramirez retired from Civil Service in 2005.googleoff: all
Ramirez painted his first mural in the lobby of San Bernardino City Hall as a student in Professor Joe Moran’s class at CSUSB. The class also painted a mural in the original administration office of St. Bernadine’s Hospital in San Bernardino. googleoff: all
“The person in charge at that time did not want any work done on the walls,” says Ramirez. “He provided three sheets of 4’x8’ plywood. He wanted us to paint the mural on them so he could move the mural around. A few months later I took some friends to see the mural and it was not in the area that it was supposed to be. I asked one of the head nurses what happened to the mural. She said that the supervisor got another position and he took the mural with him.” googleoff: all
Ramirez describes his style as impressionist abstract, saying that he uses color to bring out certain emotions without using form. googleoff: all
His work has been seen in exhibitions at such venues as Division 9 Gallery, the Riverside Art Museum, San Bernardino County Museum, San Bernardino County Government Center, National Orange Show and at the Chicano/Chicana National Art Exhibit in the Port of San Diego.googleoff: all
Ramirez is the Chairman of the Inland Empire Latino Art Association, which tries to portray a positive image to the public and promote education to younger students. Ramirez says that they want to let students know it’s possible to make a living through either visual or performing arts.googleoff: all
A life-long resident of Colton, Ramirez says that he has seen many changes over the years.googleoff: all
“Many generations of people come and go,” he says. “Sometimes I go through the old neighborhood and don’t recognize the people, although some of the old-timers are still there.”googleoff: all
GOPA, Gallery of Progressive Arts, is currently exhibiting Ramirez’s work in a show that runs through Sunday, April 26, when they will have a closing reception from 3 to 7 p.m. The gallery is located upstairs at 3595 University Ave., Suite A in Riverside. For more information about the exhibit, visit facebook.com/GOPAGallery.googleoff: all
Patrick Brien is the Executive Director of the Riverside Arts Council, a private, non-profit corporation whose mission is “to provide, develop, support and sustain the arts.” Established in 1977, it is Riverside County’s central source for arts-related services, information, education and outreach. Programs include arts education, exhibitions, technical assistance, marketing and convening of collaborative projects that connect groups and communities throughout the region. For more information about the Artist Spotlight, contact the Riverside Arts Council at 951-680-1345 or info@RiversideArtsCouncil.com. Visit www.RiversideArtsCouncil.com and sign up for the 15 Favorite Things to Do in Riverside to receive weekly updates on arts events.