Arizona
Gustavo Ramos, Girl in Profile, oil, 15 x 13.
Art Education: I graduated from Southern Virginia University in the spring of 2017. I spent the following summer as a copyist in a gallery collection of 19th-century paintings. Shortly after that, I became an apprentice to Jeffrey Hein. I spent a year learning his approach to drawing and painting. I also studied portrait painting at the Florence Academy of Art for a month.
Style: Representational and contemporary.
Creative Spark: I get inspired by others who are the very best at their craft. I look at Michelangelo when I am hesitant to be more daring. I look at Sargent when I need a reminder that beautiful art is a lot more than just rendering. I listen to Rachmaninoff to realize how much emotion can be shared without words.
Second-Choice Career: Concert pianist.
Other Passions: Classical guitar, philosophy, movies, my wife.
One Thing People Don’t Know About You: I was born and raised in Brazil. I became a United States citizen when I was 21.
Best Advice Received: From someone living the last years of her life: “Don’t buy things. Buy experiences.” This advice has helped me live more meaningfully.
Favorite Studio Music: Bossa nova.
Favorite Work by Another Artist: WOMAN HOLDING A BALANCE by Vermeer. I was in a complete daze when I saw it for the first time at the National Gallery of Art. I could not stay away from it for 20 minutes without rushing back to look at it again.
Future Goals: I am about to start producing a more ambitious body of work. I also hope to join a gallery that will help me sell my paintings as I strengthen a unique, signature style.
Price Range: $400 to $5,000.
Representation: www.gustavoramosart.com.
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- Gustavo Ramos, Hell Hath No Fury, graphite, 16 x 13.
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- Gustavo Ramos, Phoenix, oil, 20 x 16.
This story was featured in the September 2018 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art September 2018 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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