Carlos Ramos

I wrote a few paragraphs about me several times. I trust you will read to the end as I respond to your "Introduce yourself" specific to me and specific to drawing and sketching.
Here is more:
My formal art training begins where the Photorealist painters of USA were dominating the artistic discussion and exhibits were of mostly photo realist art work. While in search of methods and techniques to assist me in my paintings, I stumbled onto a few photo realists expressing that the primacy of the canvas and the flatness and two-dimensionality of the photograph itself piqued their interests and this was their driving force behind their work. No, I am of the Vietnam Era and the political, military, social and personal impacts of this and the ensuing activity across the nation and the world generated more of a storyteller, an observer and participant within me to translate that into the act of making art, to especially include expressiveness, color richness and passion. I was young at the time. Flatness of the canvas and minimalism each left me feeling deprived, starved and also struck me as BORING. Looking ahead to the potential of being shipped overseas into combat stirred my soul up far more than these intellectual artistic notions. I dont know how but even with energetic volunteerism, I was involved in the landscaping of two wars, but kept out of harms way. As an Art student, I always was in search of a universal image I discovered the gooey oil surface quality of Wayne Theibaud's artwork, Jasper Johns Art that made clearest sense but at the same time made so little sense but was beautiful, led me then to the explorations, rich paint application and scale of the works by Chuck Close. Each of these men I felt were more honest, certainly more playful, color rich and extremely inventive. The beauty that we see in Classical Greek sculpture and the light and shadow of the works by Bernini also excited me. Moreover, I definitely am a product of our culture which includes cinema, and photography, camera angles and light interest me. Compressing time, I studied with Eric Fischl and his powerful narratives and use of figuration have brought me full circle --- I love to draw and paint but I am striving for poignant and interesting points of view, figurative images made alive through narrative - I am a painter with the sensibilities of a film maker making effort to move a viewing audience so deeply, that their lives change!
In my early student years I was a very good natural painter. However, Art school damaged me heavily. So, what inspires me today? A skillful, intuitive natural and courageous artist who works from the nude and whose art form resembles a Classically trained technician and artist- I find inspiration in the esthetic beauty of the human form but dislike the work I have created in the past. I want more grounded, solid, Classical academic training with human figuration and color mixing to fill in all the gaps that my schooling failed to provide. Learning is cyclical and as an Artist I am a life time learner. Returning to a second cycle of sound instruction to paint more confidently and with more training and skill is what I seek to inspire me today. I improved in one day just completing the simple shapes and forms. I am a perfectionist and so I do not waste time over enjoying my work. So, instead of self critique, I watch and observe the Domestika Instructors draw. I love the act of drawing, painting and print making and do enjoy making art. But whether I have a good time or appreciate my own efforts? That is completely another level of inquiry – it’s doubtful that I love any of my own artwork – except those wonderful canvases which were sold some years ago. I am so selfish that I desire all of them back!
I noticed your sketches and was totally thrown by each; your personal work, your daily discipline and your influences are simply dynamic!! I believe that we all at one point in our creative lives, possessed the photographic strength of Kim Jung Gi!! I had that but today its gone! But that is okay - Direct observation is that methodology that I used as a Professor of Studio Art. But your beautiful clean and even paneled lovely sketchbooks have been my dream!! I draw on #10 envelopes, post its, scraps of paper, napkins and place mats, anything except decent clean bound paper. I do however buy paper by the 50 yard roll -- I cannot draw small which is why I am HERE!!!