For Maya Ramirez, art was never handed to her, it was something she found on her own. As a kid she found herself infatuated with cartoons and coloring books, using her lightbox to trace the cartoon characters. “I didn’t really have any creative family members so it’s something I truly wormed my way into” she says.
That self-taught determination has followed Ramirez all the way to her graduation exhibition at RMCAD, where her work spans paintings, illustrations, and decorative pieces – many of which came straight from the walls of her own room.
An Unconventional Path to RMCAD
Ramirez began her higher education journey at Metropolitan State University of Denver. However, when the pandemic disrupted her plans she decided to pivot and look for a college with a dedicated 2D Animation program.
Growing up as a self-described “Cartoon Network kid,” she had always been drawn to film and cartoons. Shows like Adventure Time and musical artists like Gorillaz were formative influences on her visual style. Animation felt like the natural meeting point of everything she loved. “I always thought the dream job would be animation because it involves both of my passions of drawing and film,” Ramirez says.
Despite being a 2D animation student at RMCAD, Ramirez continues to work within a variety of mediums and passions such as illustration, painting, and fashion design. Her multidisciplinary exhibition brings this to life.
Building a Body of Work
Ramirez says that the friends and community she developedat RMCAD were a large inspiration for her exhibition, and the result encapsulates her authentic self and the time she spent at RMCAD. She states, “I wanted to show that I was here and that this is what I can give and
what I’ve accomplished over the years. I felt like this was my moment to really put my paint on the canvas in a way” A large majority of the work featured had been completed prior to her final year at RMCAD, some of it even finished before she got here, with the rest of the work being pulled straight from her own home.
The curtain of vines that frame her work typically hang on her own ceiling, the flowers and floor mats are found in her bathroom, and the hot air balloons hang above her bed while the small table sits beside it. “It’s been very inconvenient not having it there,” she laughs. The entire work is topped with her own “Cyanide Ice Cream” logo. “The ice cream part is meant to be the whimsical tone and saturated colors I typically use, while the cyanide part covers the darker topics that I depict – the duality of my artwork and my personality,” she explains.
Ramirez’s art often portrays her own feelings of depression and anxiety – doing so in a lighthearted and cartoon-like fashion – visualizing those feelings outwardly and perhaps turning those experiences into conversation starters. “I think it’s good to have those conversations about difficult topics and it does help me relieve some of those feelings for myself as well.” she says.
Growing Through the Process
As she approaches graduation, Ramirez reflects on her time at RMCAD and how it pushed her in ways she never expected. “The biggest takeaways I’ve had from RMCAD are the people I’ve met. I think you get what you want out of this school. If you want to work hard and make connections and put in your best effort there are people here who can help push you to where you want to go.”
That growth extended beyond the classroom, too. Ramirez began selling her work at local Denver boba shops and bars, slowly building a presence in the community. “It was a bit of an adjustment to put yourself out there at first, but it’s so important in this field to put yourself out there and network… It feels really great when you’re out in the wild and someone says, ‘I think I’ve seen you around before.'”
What’s Next
Walking across the graduation stage will carry a meaning that goes beyond a diploma for Ramirez. Raised with a stubborn sense of determination and a habit of putting others first, this milestone is one she’s accomplishing for herself. “It’s the determination to finally do something for myself, because I’ve been living my life for so many other people, family and friends, and I don’t regret those things, but I’m gonna be sobbing when I walk across that stage because it’s finally gonna be something that I followed through with for myself.”
After graduation, Ramirez is starting an internship at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center in the Denver Santa Fe Arts District, where she’ll be supporting high school students and helping set up theatrical productions. Beyond that, she plans to continue to explore different artistic mediums, sell her own work, and ultimately pursue her dream of working within the animation industry, perhaps one day writing her own comic books. “My interests have always been so broad that I just think of what else I can apply animation to throughout my life,” she says.
Whatever avenue comes next, she’s clear on one thing. “I
know I’m gonna find some sort of career where I’m gonna be making things and helping people no matter what avenue I go down. I’m just going to be happy to keep creating. I have no idea what’s happening next but I know I can get through it.”
Explore Your Future in Animation
Inspired by Maya Ramirez’s story? Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design offers on-campus and online BFAs in Animation designed to help students develop both the technical skills and creative voice they need to bring their vision to life. From 2D and 3D animation to illustration, our programs prepare graduates to thrive across a range of creative industries. Request more information or apply today to start your own journey.
