“LIFE IS MORE ENJOYABLE AND MEANINGFUL WHEN I EXPRESS MYSELF

THROUGH WRITING OR DRAWING BECAUSE IT IS ACTUALLY MY BEST FORM OF SELF – EXPRESSION.”

RUBEN RAMIRES

Can you tell us who you are?

I’m Ruben, I’m 32 years old, and I’m a Portuguese artist currently living in Houston Texas, USA.  My work includes mainly poetry and illustrations, although I have also done acting for some years. Besides being an artist, I’m also a critical care nurse (weird combinations, I know). 

What does drawing mean to you?

It would be a cliché to say that art means everything to me, but it is definitely an enormous part of me. Drawing is profoundly therapeutic, almost like meditation.  I think my life is more enjoyable and meaningful when I express myself through writing or drawing, because it is actually my best form of self-expression. I’ve realized throughout these years that some thoughts, feelings, and desires I couldn’t have expressed without art, and this is really liberating.  Additionally, drawing is a way of escaping, of calming me down, and also of thinking in a different perspective. 

Can you describe us the path of your artistic production?

I often find my ideas either in thoughts regarding a specific topic or regarding something I saw that has inspired me. If I’m actually seeing something that captures me, I will make some sketches right away and write some words. Then, I’ll work around that concept and will develop it to the final result. If it’s something I’m asked to draw, I will search about that topic and find something that inspires me and has a connection to my style. 

Most of my work comes from spontaneous sketches. I like to draw a lot without a filter, pretty much thinking like I’m a little kid. It is basically drawing freely without judging myself too much. I save those sketches and doodles, and actually I go back to them some time later and I will reuse and develop them by drawing something either similar or different but with some connection to that primordial idea.  

What material do you use in your process?

I draw a lot digitally nowadays, using my iPad or remarkable tablet. However, I love sketching with pencil and ball pens. I also use crayons, graphite, and markers. When it comes to printing techniques I frequently use monoprinting and linoleum, using block ink.

What is your response to mistakes in your process?

I was never too keen on perfection when it comes to my artworks. I enjoy the whole process, and I’m very aware of my skills, and limitations. Actually, the best part of the creative process for me is the rawness, and crudity, so I find in mistakes this authenticity, and truth that are very important for me to mature. Mistakes are essential, they force you to learn and go beyond your comfort zone, and that is simultaneously a way of having fun and growing up as an artist.

Can you define your style?

I’ve always considered myself a non-label person. I hate labels, but I do understand their need in some circumstances, even in art. However, I don’t feel like I fit in a category. I hardly think that I have a style. When I draw it just comes naturally. Some people tell me that they recognize my drawings everywhere, that it is distinctive. I think my drawings are quirky, raw, sketchy, and usually visually “simple”.

Some of your illustrations are related to change and immigration, when did you move out of Portugal? What is your vision of immigrant /emigrant?

I move out from Portugal to USA right by the end of 2016/beginning of 2017. After I graduated from nursing school I started working as a nurse, and I didn’t draw or write for almost 7 years! I felt stuck, and felt like I shouldn’t open that “Pandora box”. So, when I came to USA I had a period of time when I was doing nothing. I was a feeling depressed and sad, thus I started writing poems again and illustrating them as an escape and a way of coping. In 2018 I finally had the courage to create my Instagram account, and started sharing my art with the world. 

I think we are all immigrants in some form, we all belong to the same place. I don’t believe in walls or barriers, I believe in bridges and unity between humans. We have so much to share and learn with each other, this amazing diversity of cultures and knowledge can improve and make our living so much pleasurable.  I could be here all day talking about immigration and politics, because it’s a topic that I relate. I´m an immigrant myself, living in a country build by immigrants, and I see how amazing our experiences can interconnect.

How did you deal with the quarantine? How did this pandemic impact your work as an artist?

I have been working a lot in the hospital during quarantine. Dealing with extreme and critical situations, such as suffering and death, had a huge impact in my emotional and physical health. In the beginning I felt like I couldn’t create anymore, I had nothing to inspire me, I was constantly trying to find time to relax, and at the same time I was craving inspiration and new experiences. I realized the need to stop, and not be productive all the time. I believe I was also inspired by other artists and their ways of coping (thank you social media!). After some time, I slowly started understanding the impact in my social life, and tried to use all those feelings and emotions as inspiration for a lot of what I did last year.

Can you tell us more about feminist for breakfast? 

Feminists for breakfast is a very special project that I have with my dear friend Andreia Nunes, who is also an artist. It started in 2018 as a way of expressing activism through art. It was a challenged we both embraced in order to grow up as artists and at the same time to connect and bring awareness to people about topics that are usually swept under the rug. I believe we have been developing our own language, and at our own pace we have slowly been addressing important topics such as gender equality, systematic racism, and LGBTQA+ rights.

Do you have special projects for 2021?

I would love to finish editing and self-publish my poetry book that I started writing when I moved to USA. It has been in the closet since then, and actually I was supposed to release it last year. However, I wanted it to be shared with friends, and the pandemic didn’t allow that. Maybe I’ll have the courage to do that this year. Besides this, I have some more ideas for zines, and murals that I would love to make. I may collaborate with another artist in a special project that I can’t say right now .

What do you think of the Portuguese word fresta?

I immediately think about windows, like a very narrow opening where you can get limited light and vision.

Where can we find you work

 You can find my work at www.rubenramires.com, where I have my ETSY online shop. You can also find my work at some galleries in Portugal:  in Lisbon at FRESTA (Newsstandart) and in Oporto at Águas Furtadas

Photos and Arts : Ruben Ramires Interview : Vital Lordelo

This interview was featured in the February 2021 FRESTA catalog magazine, a JOIA publication (2019-2023). The publications are now being made available in this blog post format