Bio
Chele Ramos is a self-taught portrait artist raised in Madison. She has been painting for about seven years, but her love for drawing began in childhood, where she spent much of her free time sketching faces. In her twenties, she traveled and eventually settled in Portland, Oregon. After spending seven years on the West Coast and pursuing a career in Massage Therapy, she returned to her hometown of Madison, where she started her family and embarked on her art career.
While Chele’s primary focus has been portraiture, her work has evolved to emphasize human emotion and mental health awareness. She believes there are many broken people and much heartbreak in the world. Through her art, she hopes to shed light on these issues, encourage difficult yet necessary conversations, and spread hope.
Artist Statement
As an artist, I believe it's my obligation to open people's eyes and minds. I feel that art should evoke strong emotions, foster new ways of thinking, or enhance human understanding. I strive to create beautiful portraits and paintings that either provide a fresh perspective or evoke cherished memories of loved ones.
I work with a variety of mediums, including watercolor, acrylics, oils, pastels, coffee, graphite, and charcoal. My creative journey begins with a detailed sketch to capture the essence of my subject. Once satisfied with the sketch, I create a final drawing and start layering colors and textures to bring the portrait to life. My work emphasizes the emotions conveyed through expressions and postures, blending contemporary realism with a strong influence of expressionism. This approach allows me to convey powerful emotions and inner experiences through bold colors, dynamic compositions, and intense expressions. Each piece is crafted to highlight the emotional depth and narrative behind the faces and imagery, aiming to connect with the viewer on a profound level.