Sarah Ramirez

TRANSIT INTERVIEW → L'art Pour L'art → By: Baha Danesh

Fusing the ethos of the unknown with a modern twist of her surroundings, Sarah Ramirez is one of LPL’s most influential artists. Her bright colors tell vivid stories that bring together beauty and poetry in unexpected sinister ways.

Baha - When did you first start creating? What made you interested in art?

Sarah - I first started as a graphic artist. I went to a Community College after High School and got a job as a web author, but there wasn’t anyone available to generate graphics, so I ended up doing that too.

What keeps me interested in art is the gratification. When you finish an art piece, or even a logo, there’s that sense of accomplishment. Not only that, making clients happy and fulfilling their visions with my work is very satisfying.

Baha - Where do you get the materials for your art? How did you become interested in your subject matter?

Sarah – I go through phases with my art. Although I mostly paint on canvas, my painting ‘Bouquet”, is a good example of what I do. Currently, I’m really into vintage picture frames. I like to find gold and gaudy frames and then cut masonite boards to fit the frame.

I mostly paint women’s silhouettes because when I first started painting I really wanted my creations to be sexy and creepy. A acceptable image to me is when both elements are merged with n the painting,

Baha - What do you like best about the creative process?

Sarah - I like that fact that I can still use my computer skills to make a successful painting. Since I’m a graphic artist by trade, it feels more natural to draw with the computer. All my paintings start off as vector images that I project on to the canvas. At the same time I also love working with my hands, so it’s the best of both worlds. Draw digitally, and then use messy paint and brushes to manually bring the image to life. It’s a lot of fun and extremely satisfying.

Baha - What do you like least?

Sarah - I hate the fact that I’m extremely anal about every little detail. I mean, that’s why my paintings look the way they do, but at the end of the day I wish to have more fun with it. I can get really crazy if it’s not perfect. Ocasionally, painting can be really stressful, especially if I think I didn’t get a line perfectly straight.

When I paint, I refuse to have a drink (wine, etc.) until I’m finished. I have to keep focused and alert; sometimes it’s more of a job than a hobby. I have always envied those artists who can drink and get high, and all their creativity just comes flowing out, I could never do that.

Baha - What motivates you to keep creating?

Sarah - I suppose it’s the feedback I get from the community. I love painting something that I totally hate, and it literally ends up being everyone’s favorite. That’s happened to me on several ocasions and It’s really encouraging because it gives me the confidence I need in order to continue. Also I always have the urge to create something out of nothing or I might explode. I can get really anxious and whiny, it’s annoying and thats when I can tell that I haven’t painted in a while because I start to hate EVERYTHING. Getting paintings out of my head keeps me sane.

Baha - Art can sometimes be an isolating profession. Has art connected you to other people or impacted others in interesting ways?

Sarah - I guess I can’t really tell until I show my work outside of my house. It’s funny. I sit on the floor of my living room and pour hours and hours of work onto a canvas and start to think, “ if anyone will notice.” But people really do notice. In fact, people have told me they started to paint because they loved my paintings so much. Hearing that is very encouraging. It’s nice to know that people do notice and are touched by the images I create. But as an artist, I pretty much keep to myself while creating. Once I get my mind set on something I have to paint and I can’t really take any suggestions from other people. With out a doubt I see that as a stubborn weaknessof mine

Baha - Is being an artist your main profession?

Sarah - No, thank God! Haha! I’m still a web author and graphic artist for a community college. It’s a great secure job, and I’m really happy there. So lucky to have this job too, especially in today’s job market. If I relied on painting to make my living, I would be on the street for sure. Not only that, I have a 10 year old boy who I live for everyday. He needs things that a life as an artist alone cannot provide… Not yet anyways.

Baha - What are your creative dreams? if anything is possible, what would you want to have happen?

Sarah - Well on the smaller scale, I would like to make canvas bags, t-shirts and hoodies. My work is so graphic and colorful I think that would go off well. But ultimately, on a larger scale, I would absolutely love do commission work, painting the sides of buildings. Bright, bold, gigantic paintings in my distinctive style! I want people to see my bright images from their cars on the freeway and think, “That looks like one of those SARAH'S paintings.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SARAH RAMIREZ PLEASE VISIT

www.sarahjramirez.com