Welcome to Smarty Cartoons! Thanks for visiting my site and getting to know the people and inspirations behind my work. I've always loved being creative with art since I was first handed those crayons and pencils. My biggest inspiration came from reading books thanks to the local library. Art gave me the opportunity to express myself and to be creative, which is something I've enjoyed since then.

I'm celebrating my 20th year as Smarty Cartoons and my 16th year of teaching as a high school art teacher. What began with a sketch in a college classroom later has grown into a small business that serves clients near and far. Thank you to all who have contributed to my work since the beginning.

My work as a cartoonist began in my early years in high school. The art really began in my elementary school where my drawings drew attention from my fellow class mates. Throughout my education, I've learned that many things we are taught are vital to bringing out our very best. Reading and writing are essential to being a cartoonist. Math, science, history, English... all are very important subjects that eventually play an important role in my skills as an artist. Business skills are essential. I've learned to defend my work due to a lot of idiots and self proclaimed business people that have no business being in business. Sounds funny but it's true. Some businesses are built on failure and that's all they'll ever know. Sad way to live. Stay away from those type of failures. Here at Smarty Cartoons actions and images speak louder than words. Smarty Cartoons stands on a solid foundation of victory and is here to serve my clients at a whole other level of service. My strength comes from above and my foundation stands firm in my faith in Christ.

The inspirations for my art came from growing up in El Paso, TX, Aurora, IL, and Corpus Christi, TX. As I entered my college years, I earned the title of “cartoonist”. My first publication was in the school paper for Del Mar college in Corpus Christi back in 1987. The first comic strip I worked on was called “smarty”... which later became “smarty cartoons.” I decided to reclaim that trademark which many people have identified me with throughout the past 20 years. Through trial and error, and through rejection after rejection, art critic after art critic, I've learned to build my skills and enhance them by learning from all of the criticism I've received. Instead of seeing criticism as a stumbling block, I've learned to see it as a stepping stone in order to climb higher and higher!! Here I am 20 years later having work published as far as San Francisco and Japan.

My work as an editorial cartoonist enabled me to represent public opinion through the world of cartooning. Many could not handle my work because for the first time the corrupted were challenged in a visual format that stunned the “high and mighty” or in my point of view-the “dumb and dumber”. Thus the “Power of the Pen” was born. I'm currently not published in the political arena but it seems that my work pops up on the scene whenever there is a need for a strong message to be sent. My work was recently placed on a billboard here in south Texas. I think it was big enough to get the message across. I'm sure God will use me again so in the meantime I'm sharpening up my skills and meeting some great cartooning friends and networking with some great photographers, models, and people in the cartooning industry. I am ever so thankful and grateful for everyone's contribution to my work especially Debra my wife who is a strong force in my success as well as my family, friends and church that also contribute to helping me be able to walk through fire and back. Criticism can be vicious…but God's Armor is awesome so I wear it daily and dare to take on any challenge or critic. God has given me this gift of cartooning and I will use it for good and for inspiration of other artists. Here I am 20 years later, still standing despite the many critics that have dared to take me on. My critics are funny people. I think I'll feature some in my caricature studies. I'm still standing on sold ground and I encourage anyone with dreams to do the same. Don't ever give up! Don't ever give up!

I see my talent as a gift that God has blessed me with, and I enjoy sharing it with others. My adventures as a cartoonist still continue, and I've enjoyed every assignment, logo, portrait, and every school that has extended an invitation so that I may share my cartoons and experience as an artist. I welcome all feedback and thank all who have supported my work since the first set of silly cartoons were produced. Prepare to be entertained once my “Teacher Toons” idea kicks off. Thank you critics and fans! Thank you for visiting Smarty Cartoons.

Ramon Ramirez Jr. Cartoonist