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Exclusive BP Interview with Artist / Tattoist Jorge Ramirez
Jorge Ramirez on top of the Pyramid of the Moon overlooking the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan Mexico | Photography by Salvador Rojas
Interview with Mexican Artist/Tattoist Jorge Ramirez
An artist and tattoo artist, Jorge was born in Los Angeles to parents from Tijuana and D.F., Mexico. Tattooing out of the renown Lowrider Tattoo Studio Orange location, much of his work is culturally
inspired. Aztec warriors and motifs are often the subjects of his paintings. Recently, his work has expanded to include female Day of the Dead faces. His work has been seen in galleries at Crewest in
Downtown LA.
As I walk into the shop to his station, Jorge is seated at his desk experimenting with a calligraphy brush he just purchased. With an intense look of concentration on his face, he plays around using the
brush to create various scripts. His paintings are displayed on the walls behind him.
BrownPride.com : Who are your favorite artists?
Jorge Ramirez : Michelangelo Caravaggio, Salvador Dali, Michelangelo, Bernini, Jael, Burne Hogarth, Alex Grey, Sylvia Ji, and graffiti artist Daim. The tattoo artists that inspire me are the ones that I am
always around, the ones that I know and have worked with. When I look outside of my circle, the tattoo artists that inspire me are Adrian Lee, Shige from Japan, and Robert Hernandez.
BrownPride.com : What do you like about their art?
Jorge Ramirez : They are all similar. They all take something and give it a new dimension and give it more... a new life. They use super dynamic shapes, structures, and lighting. It’s all about
shapes and lighting. They use a lot of [he gestures with his hands and I ask him what those hand movements mean]... dynamic light... a crease that brings it out. Here let me show you. [He whips out a
sketchbook and starts sketching with his red ballpoint pen different examples of shading and uses of light. Now it makes a lot more sense].
BrownPride.com : What are the sources of inspiration for your artwork?
Jorge Ramirez : Women. I have four sisters, a girlfriend, my mom, and my grandma. I have no brothers. I’ve never had that feeling of closeness towards guys. I’m surrounded by women.
Jorge Ramirez on top of the Pyramid of the Moon overlooking the Pyramid of the Sun and the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan Mexico | Photography by Salvador Rojas
BrownPride.com : How does your Mexican heritage influence your art?
Jorge Ramirez : Prime example I was born on 12/12. The 12th day of the 12th month. In Catholic religion it is The Day of the Virgin Mary. It also relates to, we talked about what influences me the
most: women. I highly involve historical women figures and male figures of the revolution, in folklore, and from real life in my art. Like paintings or portraits of them or using sayings they’ve said and
manipulating them in my own way to use them in my designs.
BrownPride.com : You mention the revolution. How do you feel you play a part in that?
Jorge Ramirez : I work towards presenting traditional Mexican art in a fresh and engaging way to the new generation and to keep the culture alive.
BrownPride.com : How did you get into tattooing?
Jorge Ramirez : People saw my designs and just wanted me to put it on their skin because they liked it so much. I took the traditional way and apprenticed for 2 years. I went that route and things
just happened from there. I didn’t work out of my garage because I’ve been around a lot of artists to know that when you obtain a trade you need to put in your time and work. It’s like your initiation. I
learned that respect for the industry.
BrownPride.com : Do you like working on skin or canvas better?
Jorge Ramirez : [He rolls his chair towards his canvas starts working on a painting of a girl’s face.] I would say skin because it challenges me more... to be more creative and to be on the spot.
It brings out the best in me because it’s not something I can erase. It’s not something I can just go over with another color or just throw away.
BrownPride.com : Tell me about the painting you are working on now.
Jorge Ramirez : It’s a Day of the Dead face. I’m very into the belief that death will come and life will come as well. In my eyes and cultural beliefs it’s not something to be feared. Death is not
the end. When you see a lot of my paintings, death is not portrayed as dark and morbid. It’s more celebrated and colorful. The idea of looking at it in the face and saying “OK, I see.”
BrownPride.com : What kind of music do you listen to when you paint?
Jorge Ramirez : [He puts his brush down and laughs] I’m just weird I just listen to everything from Immortal Technique to Kaskade to Bloc Party to Narco Corridos [which by the way he is bumping right
now]. And I always listen to my good friend Spade’s music. [he picks up his brush again]
National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City | Photo by Salvador Rojas
BrownPride.com : What are your thoughts on being in the art industry? And about the business aspect of it?
Jorge Ramirez : It’s a cutthroat business. I’m one to preach the truth no matter what because people have always either been too scared to or don’t want to risk anything. It’s very competitive... it’s
very uh... [he leans forward] for most kids who are trying to come up... and I know I’m young because I’m only 22 but having gone through all the steps and having been taught by elders, most kids today do
not go through all that. They are just winging it and destroying the principles behind the art.
BrownPride.com : How would you categorize your art?
Jorge Ramirez : If I had to give my art a name... neo-hyper-new-skool-experimental-something that doesn’t have to do with anything because I’m trying to create and be innovative but based on the basic
principles of how art was created.
BrownPride.com : What is your favorite medium?
Jorge Ramirez : I really don’t have one but if I had to say it would probably be tattooing because of the same reason that I like it. It keeps me on my toes.
BrownPride.com : Why do you like art? What do you like about it?
Jorge Ramirez : It's like cocaine. It’s addicting. I just don’t like the world. I like my world.
BrownPride.com : Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Jorge Ramirez : Bigger. Better. Progressing. Innovating. Creating.
BrownPride.com : Where can people view your work?
Jorge Ramirez : On myspace.com/pigmented_skin, Deviant Art, Inked Nation, and at the Lowrider Tattoo shop in the city of Orange.
BrownPride.com : Is there any advice you would like to give to aspiring artists and tattoo artists?
Jorge Ramirez : Believe in yourself always. Do everything and anything don’t hesitate always evolve be true and speak the truth always [He says this with much conviction].
As our interview reaches its end, a client enters and Jorge beings setting up. He prepares himself to impart yet another everlasting piece of his artwork on the skin of yet another one of his sure to be happily satisfied customers.
JORGE RAMIREZ
LOWRIDER TATTOO STUDIO
1530 W. Chapman Avenue
ORANGE, California 92868
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