Art has always been a shared language in Rudy C. Ramirez’s life—one spoken not only through his artwork, but through daily moments of teaching, making, and being together. As part of Rudy C. Ramirez: A Retrospective, 1969 – The Present, members of the Ramirez family reflect on what it meant to grow up alongside an artist whose practice extended beyond the studio and into the rhythms of family life. These personal reflections offer insight into how art, mentorship, and creativity have been passed from one generation to the next.
Papa Rudy
Chico, Daughter
I have many wonderful memories of my dad and I. Fun memories like teaching me how to drive stick shift when I was 12 years old in our VW. Memories of my dad drawing in his garage. I was at that age when I started “hanging out” in the garage on a regular basis, because I was in trouble inside the home. I remember sitting next to him while he worked. He’d hand me a lettering book and calligraphy pens to learn freehand lettering. This is how I learned old English amongst other fonts.
Another fond memory I have is when I was 13 and I was running for Jr High Valentine’s Queen. He taught me how to use an airbrush to make my posters that would be hung around the school. I loved that experience. He taught me how to cut and use a stencil for a project. Of course, they came out beautiful!
Another educational art experience was when he taught me how to screen print with a homemade silk screen. It would eventually be of great benefit to me in a job, later in my life.
My Dad also taught me how to use acrylics, colored pencils, charcoal, watercolors and pastels along with other mediums.
My father is my hero and he is the BEST DADDY ever! I have so much respect for him in all aspects of his phenomenal life including his USMC military service in Vietnam, his fine arts degrees, and his community service with the Latino Art Association. But I couldn’t give him all this credit without acknowledging my Mom who stuck by his side throughout his journey.
Congratulations Dad on all your success and thank you for everything you’ve taught me throughout my life! I love you papa Rudy with all my heart!!
Rudy Ramirez
Mark Ramirez, Son
Ever since I was a child, the majority of my time with my dad involved art in one form or fashion. During the week after dinner, my dad and I would head to the garage. I would sit next to him on the art table and he would work on creating templates for sign paintings, flyers for retirement events, holiday cards, painting his masterpieces, and my favorite of all, showing me how to use watercolor, sketch the human form, and how to “letter,” an art that is lost with the invention of the computer.
My dad’s art defined who he is as a person… calm, patient, quietly expressive, and the source of curiosity. Whenever an old timer around town finds out that Rudy is my dad, he is always referenced as “The Artist.” I will always take pride in my dad and all his artistry as it is the window to his thoughts and the way he is able to process the crazy world around us. His patience in creating his art is at a level matched by no one I know. Being a part of his exhibits and watching him light up when he walks into any art gallery brings a warm feeling to my heart.
A Special Man
Renee Ramirez, Daughter
As a young girl, I remember my Papa Rudy always in the garage creating his many masterpieces while listening to classical music, Jazz, and Blues. He poured his heart and thoughts into a canvas. My most favorite was a pencil drawing of my grandfather Antonino, also known as “Clark”. He captured every last detail of his face. It looked exactly as I remembered him. It’s very rare that my Daddy doesn’t have a sketch pad and pencils near him. He has passed on the gift of art to many family members including my siblings, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. What a special man my Daddy is!
My Father Rudy
Annette Ramirez, Daughter
As a young girl, I can remember my father working hard to provide for our family. Our best nights were on Fridays. We had sunflower seeds and soda while my two older sisters and I would put on a show on stage (our fireplace). Those nights were the best!
I also remember my father spending lots of time in his garage. He was always “creating” his many pieces of art. I would watch how he held his art brush and what a steady hand he had. His freehand lettering was amazing. His ideas were the best. At that age I didn’t understand what his thought process was. It wasn’t until I was older that I was able to understand his artwork because I realized what a proud US Marine he was and how his experiences in Vietnam shaped his art.
My dad is my hero and I’m so glad that he showed me and my children about art and to look at things through the eye of an artist. Whether it’s a tree branch, an old piece of wood, or anything around the house, my father can always see the art in it.
My children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren picked up the passion of art because of my father. My father lives through all of us, whether it’s through crafting, decorating, tattooing, or just drawing.
We love you dad!
Together, these reflections reveal how Rudy C. Ramirez’s artistic practice extends beyond the gallery walls—living on through family, community, and generations of shared creativity.