Meet Michael Leo Ramirez of Art By MRAM in Silver Lake

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Leo Ramirez.

Michael Leo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in the City Of Angels in the late 1960s, raised on Beatles and Elvis music and growing up within walking distance from the Original Tommy’s on Beverly and Rampart.

This all started for me around the age of four (1975).

My parents just came back from grocery shopping and while there they had picked up two comic books: WONDER WOMAN and JUSTICE LEAGUE.

I remember being blown away by this format of storytelling. The colors, the action scenes and the dialogue (as read to me by my parents) were all new and exciting! I remember using my finger to follow the outlines of my comic book heroes and how awesome I thought these artists were. I was so impressed. I knew then that this was something I really wanted to learn how to do. I wanted to be an illustrator.

What got the ball rolling so to speak was when my mom brought home a few sheets of tracing paper from work. She put a pencil in my hand and showed me how I could trace my favorite characters. I repeated the tedious routine of tracing every subject I could find not only in comic books but in magazines, shopping catalogs, newspapers, you name it!

Soon, I was able to crudely recreate what I had done from memory and countless repetition and kept at it until I was satisfied with the polished final piece. Needless to say, I’ve come along since those early scribbles.

My biggest inspiration during this time was my love of Charlie Brown & Snoopy (Peanuts), the release of Star Wars, Sci-Fi / Fantasy movies and my ever-growing comic collection.

The need to improve my techniques and style took me to where I needed to go to jump-start what would eventually be my career. I was accepted into the magnet program and attended John Burroughs Junior High. From there, I continued on to the visual arts magnet program at Fairfax High School.

Since I graduated high school in 1987, I took various illustration courses at LACC, earned a scholarship to take art classes at USC, attended a commercial art trade school in the San Fernando Valley and took Visual Effects (Digital / Computer Graphics) training at a school in Burbank called Video Symphony. All that experience brought me to my current skill level.

But even though I went through all that artistic ‘basic training’, the drive, the heart & soul of my work and my commitment to my craft came from a chance meeting with an anonymous artist I bumped into at a comic book convention I went to at the old Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Blvd in the mid 1980s.

This talented artist did not work for any established comic book company, but I feel in my heart that he could have if he really wanted to. He told me he did it all for the fun of it. I asked him if he could draw a picture of my favorite comic book character, WOLVERINE (X-Men) and he finished a quick ink drawing for me right then and there on the convention floor on his drawing pad.

I was floored. It was such an amazing piece. I thought to myself that if mere mortals can achieve this level of illustration skills, then maybe I would have a chance to do the same.

That’s the kind of inspiration I wanted to bring to people who saw my art and I still continue to want to accomplish that to this day.

Speaking of inspiration, STAR WARS is a big part of my life. From being blown away by the concept art from the 1977 movie when I was a kid to the way my art studio is decorated today. I’m definitely a lifelong fan.

The fact that I am part of a costumed charity group (The 501st Legion) that visits Children’s Hospitals, Schools and Public Fund Raising Events gives me the chance to inspire and bring smiles to people in a different way.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was a pretty bumpy ride, to say the least.

Rejection letters, being passed over, being told you weren’t good enough? Been there, done that.

Going back to what I said earlier, I didn’t get into art for the money and recognition. I really do love what I do and if all I had left in the world were my art tools, I would be happy.

I’m still enamored with illustrating, I still have the fire of that little kid that knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life and that is what fuels me to go on.

What I see in my work are tributes to the techniques of my idols and influences. Each stroke, each color blend is my thank you to those that came before me. The knowledge and skills that were silently passed along to me so that I could continue to share my vision and hopefully inspire someone to go after their dreams. Even if it’s just that one child out there that needs that little spark.

I just feel lucky to be able to do what I do to make an honest living. My gift has turned out to be what motivates me take on each new day. Expect nothing and appreciate everything.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Art By MRAM – what should we know?
“Art By MRAM” is a place you can turn to for any custom illustration work you might need.

Custom Comic Book style art pieces, Greeting Card / T-Shirt designs, Concept Art, Storyboards and Visual Effects work are all in my repertoire.

As you can see by the pics, I definitely have a signature style.

I can use all art mediums, but my specialty is the use of Pen & Ink and Markers.

That is what makes my creations stand out. It has that comic book ‘feel’ without making it look too ‘cartoonish’.

I like challenges and I take pride in being able to come through for my clients.

I treat each client like they are the only one. I don’t ever want anyone to feel like what I’m doing is just routine or gives off the feel of assembly line type work.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many people out there totally deserve credit for my success.

My family and friends have all been behind me through thick and thin. They gave, and still continue to give me the motivation to push forward when I felt like not going on with this career choice. They made me believe in myself like they had always done.

My clients have showed their respect, as well as their gratitude towards me and my work. Their continued business and support after all these years shows me that I must be doing something right.

New fans discovering my work humbles me and fuels me to keep getting better and to do my best to deliver my very best effort each and every time I put drawing pencils to paper.

I would like take this time to thank Charles Schulz (Peanuts) and George Lucas (Star Wars) for giving me the inspiration to keep dreaming and creating. To as far as my imagination takes me.

Last but not least, my Ohana. I’m forever grateful to my wife, my parents, my sister and close family for making sure I don’t get too lazy. They make sure I always stay focused.

My dogs wanted to say that they help out as well. *smile*

Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.

Pricing:

• 2.5″ x 3.5″ Sketch Card Commission = $15.00 USD / Shipping Included
• 4″ x 6′ Art Commission = $30.00 USD / Shipping Included
• 8″ x 10″ Art Commission (Single Character) = $50.00 USD / Shipping Included

Contact Info:

• Email: MRAMVFX@hotmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbymram/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtbyMRAM/

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