IDOLS OF ART WALK: Ramiro Paz

Ramiro Paz

I was born in Mendez, Tamaulipas, Mexico in 1968 and moved to the United States when I was 13 years old. While I was finishing the master of fine arts last December at UTPA I found myself wanting to learn how to make cowboy boots. I enrolled in a class with Carl T. Chapell to learn how to make boots in St. Jo, Texas. I enjoyed this class very much and I hope I can continue making boots as an art form. Therefore, my pottery, sculptures and watercolors are in a hiatus for the time being.

How has growing up in Mexico influenced your art?

Although my family was very poor and we had no toys, my childhood in Mexico was still very fun. I would play with whatever I found. Rocks, sticks, dried up corncobs, etc. I would use these objects to build fortresses, towers or other structures thus forcing me to observe the objects intricacies and functions. As an adult and an artist, I still find myself observing objects, their intricacies and functions. And at some point I consider what I observe art.

When you create pottery what do you think about?

I think of nothing. It is as if I am in a trance. Whether I am throwing on the potter's wheel or creating a sculpture, the idea comes as my hands touch the media then the actual piece comes. After the artwork is finished, I find its meaning which sometimes is linked to my childhood and culture.

What is your inspiration for your work?

My inspiration comes from a combination of my childhood memories and objects, people & experiences from the present.

Who is your favorite artist?

There are several artists that inspire me but I usually find myself admiring Paul Klee's artwork the most. I like the use of simple lines in his drawings and watercolor technique.

Who would you most like to give a piece of your artwork to?

I would give a piece of my artwork to Paul Klee so that he can in turn define the meaning of the object that I will give him.

Tell me why art is a "never ending journey."

Art is a "never ending journey" because art is everywhere and in everything. Each phase of my life can be interpreted in the artwork that I create. As I continue living and evolving, so will my art.

What do you want people to get out of your work?

I prefer not to dictate what I want people to get out of my artwork because each individual will interpret the art piece differently. The only thing that I wish for is that when a person sees one of my pieces he/she can find his/her own meaning and make a connection with the piece.