'The Monitor' hires local artist to be 'the eyes and ears of the community'

by
The Monitor

EDINBURG - The Monitor has a new cartoonist. Ramon Ramirez, Edinburg resident and art instructor for Edinburg High School will now provide insightful, visual commentary to supplement The Monitor's editorial coverage. Ramirez has already provided The Monitor with nearly a dozen original cartoons, illustrating topics spanning from McAllen's controversial mayoral race to Edinburg's acquisition of the Roadrunners professional baseball team.

Ramirez' insight and wit have already sparked conversation among those involved with or interested in the subjects of his artistic critique.

"I've heard that my cartoons have already caused conversation and created response - sometimes negative response and sometimes positive. I get a lot of criticism for my work, but what makes you an artist is learning how to work with criticism," Ramirez said.

Despite the mixed reactions to his cartoons, Ramirez is confident that his work will provide needed exposure to issues that might otherwise be overlooked.

"There's a lot out there that usually doesn't get voiced, but hopefully through my cartoons, things that need to be voiced will get voiced," he said. "When I was hired by The Monitor, Mack (Harrison, opinion editor) said that I should be the eyes and ears of the community, so that's what I'm trying to do," Ramirez added.

To prepare for his assignments, Ramirez has increased the attention he pays to local issues.

"I have to do a lot more reading. I read the news more and pay close attention to how the media portrays people - then I just add the humor," he said.

Ramirez attributes his insight and humorous perspective - two qualities necessary for an editorial cartoonist - to his father.

"My father was a minister. He's passed away, but he was a very funny and insightful man. I think I get a lot of that from him," Ramirez said.

Ramirez was selected from a pool of applicants who responded to The Monitor's open call for an editorial cartoonist. His extensive experience as a working artist and cartoonist provided Ramirez with the background that would lead to his selection.

Ramirez studied art at Corpus Christi's Del Mar Community College and Corpus Christi State College, where he received his bachelor of fine arts degree.

His first published work as a cartoonist was a comic strip he wrote while in college called Smarty. Since then, he has continued to provide illustration for an extensively varied list of projects. He provided courtroom sketches to Univision during the murder trial of Tejano music star Selena, equipped the now-closed McAllen restaurant Nolana's [Ranas] with its store logo, and helped the Corpus Christi Police Department design a children's coloring book to complement its anti-drug campaign.

Even though Ramirez is currently employed full-time as a teacher, he's made sure to continue to test his skills in the world of commercial art.

"I want to keep my foot in the door. I want my students to see that you actually can work as an artist. I want them to see me as a teacher, but also see me as someone who can do what he teaches. I don't just teach art, but I actually do it," Ramirez said.

Last updated 7/6/01