21: Overcoming Doubt - From Passion to Career with Ramon Ramirez

An architect turned studio painter, Ramon Ramirez is a native Angeleno inspired by urban design and cityscapes. He studied architecture at UC Berkeley receiving his Bachelors and Masters’ degrees.

According to Ramon, he’s lived three lives building careers as a seasoned architect, later as an assistant professor, and now as a fine artist. After his son survived a serious illness, Ramon rediscovered that he was not living his passion. At the age of 40 he was feeling more removed from creativity in his career, so he made a drastic switch. He left the workforce - including a stable paycheck - to do what he wanted to do: paint.

Many people in his life did not understand his career change, and some still don’t think he has a “real job” although he has received numerous accolades. He has been featured in solo shows and later this year in December he will curate an exhibit at Avenue 50 studios in Los Angeles.

Nearly ten years later with over 400 paintings to his name, Ramon speaks with Alex on having confidence to pursue your passion, staying true to your craft, finding inspiration, and the discipline needed to be a successful artist.

Some topics that were discussed include:

• Deciding between what you want to do versus what you have to do
• Turning your passion into your career 
• Artist Inspirations: Frank Ramirez, Gronk, Linda Arrello, Yolanda Gonzalez, Raul Balthazar 
• Learning to Prioritize: You can’t be good at everything
• Pursuit takes discipline
• Maintaining focus and establishing your primary goal
• Accepting that people may not understand your choices
• Finding inspiration daily 
• Facing doubt and finding confidence
• Embracing failure, but what’s the alternative?  
• Social media democratizes art
• Be a Unicorn: finding your own direction
• Initiating opportunities via social media 
• Staying authentic to create your best product 

Contact Ramon Ramirez:

• On Instagram | @jaguarland 
• Reach out by email at | [email protected]
• www.jaguarland.com 

References & links mentioned:

• Ramon’s First Solo Show at the Carnegie Art Museum: Monumentum: Drawings + Paintings 
• Visit Ramon’s open studio in LA starting on May 2nd
• Shout Out: Avenue 50 Studios