Meet Xareni Ramirez: Freelance Illustrator & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Xareni Ramirez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Xareni, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe that risks have been present during my whole journey as an artist. If I could go back in time when I first decided to become an artist I would tell myself to stop being so afraid to take risks. At first I was terrified of them and always took the safe road instead. In hindsight I see how this has only affected my career negatively. I’ve learned that taking risks only increases my growth and success and even if I fail or there isn’t a great outcome, at least I learned something from it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At first glance, my art is very girly, colorful, and playful. Many of my subjects are women, nostalgic to my childhood, pop culture references and I love to take inspiration and pay homage to my Mexican culture. I also try to push the boundaries of designing in new and interesting ways. I’m currently working as a freelance product designer/illustrator and I started up a small business on Etsy where I sell art prints! It definitely has been far from easy to get to where I am right now and I’ve almost given up countless times. I believe I have overcome many challenges by changing my mindset. I started asking myself “if not me, who? If not now, when?” and if I’m afraid to try something new then I’ve learned to just figure it out along the way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love theme parks and sight seeing so the first thing on that list would definitely be Disneyland. We’d then have to check out Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm but not Six Flags, sorry not sorry. I would definitely hit up some historic and famous landmarks of LA like La Placita Olvera, Union Station, Little Tokyo, and the Griffith Observatory. I love thrifting as well so I’d take them down Retro Road in Long Beach and have brunch at The Attic or Saint and Second on Belmont Shore. We could have dinner and margaritas at Lula Cocina Mexicana in Santa Monica and then stumble to the beach! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my dad, mom and sisters for always encouraging me to do what I love. To my boyfriend Will, for believing in my talent more than I do. To my friends who have also encouraged me to keep creating and have kept me sane along the way.

Website: http://www.xareniramirezart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xareni_art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xareni-ramirez-8a28b917b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/xareniart

Other: Etsy! https://www.etsy.com/shop/XareniArt