Panel #1- Albert Ramos of San Francisco, CA

Greetlings artlings.

I come to you bearing gifts of creativity and joy. Now bask in the glory of the first panel of the project! Yes, you heard me right, I actually have an update on the Panel #1 [aka S.L.U.G]! and it's bad ass! And honestly, I wouldn't expect anything less than badassery from an artist like Albert Ramos. This guy is probably the most talented and disciplined person I have ever met and I'm honored to call him a friend. He's from Barcelona, Spain and has been studying Fine Art at the Art Academy University and is currently pursuing his Masters while training to get into the best physical shape of his life. Oh and did I mention he kicks ass and takes names at various national art competitions? Excuse me while I go look at my own work and slit my wrists. No, but in all seriousness, Albert's hard work and talents are quite evident in his work. His work conveys a clear understanding for anatomy, dynamic symmetry and energy and his true dedication to the arts is evident in his intricate detail and pattern work. Albert is also known for spontaneously busting out into B-Boy break moves and toprocking mid-conversation. It's just fantastic, really.

Don't forget to check out his website so you can verify my words as TRUTH! Cliiiiiiiiiiick...HERE.

Hello, my name is Albert Ramos. I am from Barcelona, Spain but I currently live in San Francisco, CA. I draw and paint people, things, and sometimes, places.

What is your earliest artistic memory?

I remember drawing super heroes and monsters with my buddy Edgard after lunch break. Everybody thought we were weird.

What are three words that describe your artwork?

Frustration, pain, accomplishment

What inspires you?

Great painters, dead or alive, traditional or contemporary. Persian rugs, patterns, geometry. Science and philisophy. My students. Spain, my family, and especially the memories I have of them.

What is your goal in life?

To be a full time painter and make a conformable living with my art, without selling out, is probably the number one thing on my list. Also, I want to be able to snatch 165 pounds over my head, single handed. And ultimately, I just want to be a better Albert.

Name something you love and why.

I love strength and power training because deep in my heart I want to be a silver back gorilla.

What makes you angry?

Copy-cat painters, modern society, crowds, television, propaganda, politicians, hipsters, hippies, street art posers... and the list goes on, but let's not talk about hate and focus on the good stuff, right?

What was your favorite toy as a kid?

I loved knives, shurikens and my pair of nunchucks when I was a kid. Then one day puberty kicked in and I started loving spray cans more than anything else in the world.

What is your favorite toy now?

Olympic barbells

What is your dream art project?

I want to find my own voice, I want people to look at my paintings and say "This is an Albert Ramos painting."That is going to take a long time, yup.

What have you been listening to while you have been working on your art recently?

Recently, I prefer silence, if the studios around me are quiet. If there is noise around me and I need to isolate myself, I play random music from Zingaro to Elphomega. Anything goes, really.

If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?

It would be a mocktail [non-alcoholic cocktail], and I would be called "Raging Ramos"

If you could go back in time and talk to "8 year old YOU", what would you say to him?

I would warn myself about who to trust and who not to. I think I would even make a list and give it to myself.

If you could collaborate with any artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?

I would go back to the late 1800's/ early 1900's and collaborate with Gaudi, Fortuny and Casas. Kicking it at "Els Cuatre Gats" in Barcelona, sketching with the greatest.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

I have been given plenty of advice throughout my life. Painting wise, the best advice I have ever been given is "The Subject of a painting will determine the way the painting should be painted" by Kevin Moore.

If you had a chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?

Listen you fuckers, you screw heads. Here is a man who would not take it anymore. A man who stood up against the scum, the cunts, the dogs, the filth, the shit. Here is a man who stood up. I always wanted to say that like Travis did.

That's totally more than one sentence, Albert! But since it's Taxi Driver, I'll accept it. NICELY DONE MY FRIEND~ Gorgeous work on the panel and wonderful words of inspiration, I couldn't ask for anything more! Panel #1 crew is killing it right now and I can tell this piece is going to be insanely amazing by the time it's finished. and by the way, there's only one artist left on the bill for this one- Justin Delacuesta of Sacramento. He's another solid artist with great skills and I know he'll finish it off in style.

Go forth and spread the word of COLLABORATION my art lovers!

ELROD