Name: Rodrigo Ritchie Ramirez
Hair: Dread Locs (It doesn’t show in this picture)
Age: 27
Occupation: Illustration and Graphic Artist
Occupation 2: Hip Hop and House Dancer/ Choreographer
Bio: Rodrigo is best known by his middle name Ritchie, who was born and raised in Los Angeles California. At a young age, he found his niche in the arts from dancing to drawing and even music. Early in his youth, he truly believed in that single phrase, “the sky is the limit”, which lead him to continue striving in these arts becoming the most talented figures amongst his peers. In High school, he was given the nickname 'a true renaissance man' due to his abilities to breakdance, draw and play the piano. This earned him much respect as a well-rounded artist and giving him the privilege of designing the senior yearbook cover. Beyond his adolescent life, Ritchie continued to follow his passion as an artist. After receiving his BFA (Bachelors in Fine Arts) in Illustration at California University Long Beach, he found his career path in designing and illustrating in entertainment industry from dvd covers, character concepts and more. He currently is working on Illustrations for a dance documentary and a childrens book. Ritchie also participates in numerous art shows and is highly a supporter of the community through dance and art. For several years, he's been an active dance member for Culture Shock Los Angeles. He's currently playing a central role in their annual benefit show "Soul Survivors: Seeking Refuge" which premiers August 20, 2010. He continues to strive excellence as a hip hop and house dancer/choerographer. He's gotten 1st place in numerous dance competitions and and has once back-up danced for music producers such as Nittin Sawney, Crystal Method, and Wyclef Jean.
Ritchie continues to live and breath the arts. He hopes to one day produce a film. His passion in the arts will continue defining himself as well as inspiring others.
"We strive excellence by believing beyond what we are limited to."
"It could take three months to compose one moment of music... but in Jazz, one moment of music IS one moment of music." - Bill Evans
My Thoughts: I can pick things up quickly. I guess you can say its a gift I have. This got me to be multi-talented in the stuff I keep personal in my life (music, art, and dance). "Art" is pretty much the thing the makes me tic. Speak to me in this language, then we can understand each other better than words can express. But that's just how powerful I feel art can be. If your mind is open and free to listen to the language of art, you and I will never lose interest. I'm attracted to interesting things and creativity. I DO like to have nice things well. And I'm sure you do to. But whats really FRESH and attractive is what you creatively do with it. At most times, in our every day experience, I feel as if we (non-perfect human beings) tend to put limitations on the stuff that we think we can't do. I say, hang the 'limits'. When you realize your mind (what you put in thought) has no limits, your body will follow. I have no explanation on why I can do many things skillfully but I can surely say that the impossible happens when you put into thought that you can do anything. It's okay when the words "I can't" comes out of your mouth. We're only human. However, the next step after that should be to imagine that you CAN or already DID. I guarantee that the following events will come out so great that you wouldn't even notice how much growth and successful you've become. I don't mean to sound like one of those 'self-help' books. This was just the best way I'm able to put in words of how I came to be. God Bless. Cheers.
With Peace, Love and Respect.
