The road to being a professional artist has never been straight or narrow, but Al Ramirez has been walking that road for as long as he can remember.
To support his adventurous journey he has been a TV news editor, grounds keeper, census taker, stand-up comedian, and surgical assistant, just to name a few.
Al’s favorite artist gig was working as a comic book colorist, finisher, and co-illustrator with collaborator and good friend Butch Guice, a nationally known comic book artist now working for Marvel as the inker for Captain America Reborn, the biggest Marvel launch in ten years.
From ‘84 to ‘92 he and Butch worked on Superman with DC comics, followed by The X Factor Graphic Novel, Action Comics and Acclaim comic books. Then there were the Nightbreed and Hellraiser comics. Those eight years working with Butch were packed with unbelievably tight deadlines, raw energy, and maximum creative output.
Al’s other art jobs included commissioned paintings for the Tri-Star movie Private Eyes with Don Knotts and Tim Conway, shot in Asheville. The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville was one of many local businesses and corporations that hired Al to do commissioned illustrations and free-lance art projects.
Al was also the recipient of a N.C. Arts Grant to do stand-up comedy for a few months, not only because he’s naturally funny and loves to laugh, but that he loves to get other people to laugh too.
Certified in television and film production, Al wrote, produced, co-directed, and acted in the horror cult classic video Satan Place while living in Miami, Florida. Joe Bob Briggs, famous B-movie monster critic, said Satan Place was one of the best of the B movies! Al’s favorite movies to watch are the Film Noir genre, as well as all the old original horror flicks like Frankenstein, Wolfman, and The Thing.
For more than five years Al has been a student of nationally known landscape painter John Mac Kah, co-founder of the celebrated Fine Arts League of Asheville. John says Al’s formal art education at UNC-Asheville and his sensitivity and broad range of mature, practiced skills keep him focused and plugged into that Source where all artists get their creative inspiration and energy and that’s why remarkable paintings continue to come out of his studio.
Painting all day long, every day, has been Al’s routine for several years now. He has a long-standing habit of simultaneously working on two to three different projects to keep the creative juices flowing. Multiple art projects in different mediums are always in the works. “It helps me switch gears in my brain; making the paint, energy, and synchronicity come alive. Plus my two dogs need a few brisk walks each day!”
“Everybody needs beauty… places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.” ~ John Muir
Mountain Birds is a strikingly beautiful new series of fine art Giclee reproductions that capture the essence and spirit of each Western North Carolina bird depicted and the majestic mountains that we share with them. Taking a year’s worth of study and dedication to produce twelve birds, Al has rendered each bird to capture not only its tender beauty, but also to showcase its ancient place within the magnificent biodiversity of the southern Appalachian mountain range.
Images are locally printed and scrupulously matched to the original oil for perfect clarity and color reproduction. Additionally, each image is printed on acid free, lignin free, cotton rag paper. Remember, keep all fine artwork out of humid environments, bright light and direct sunlight. With love and care, this fine art work from Al Ramirez will bring much beauty and joy for many generations to come.
Al’s fine art Giclee reproductions can be found at the Gallery of the Mountains, a fine American craft gallery located inside the historic Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. Call 1-800-692-2204, or visit the gallery’s website, http://galleryofthemountains.blogspot.com.