Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack

You have over 30 years of artistic experience. How has your style evolved throughout your creative journey?

Over the past 30 years, my artistic style has evolved through exploration, experimentation, and a deepening understanding of each medium I work with — graphite, watercolor, pastels, and acrylics. Early in my journey, I focused on realism and technical precision, using graphite to develop strong drawing fundamentals and attention to detail.

As my confidence grew, I began to embrace watercolor and pastels, which encouraged me to loosen up and explore light, movement, and emotion in a more expressive way. Acrylics then allowed me to expand into bolder compositions, layering, and mixed techniques — bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary styles.

Today, my work reflects a balance between control and spontaneity. I combine techniques from all these mediums to create depth, atmosphere, and feeling. My style has become more personal — less about perfect representation and more about conveying the mood and story behind each piece.

You previously worked as a hairdresser for 22 years. How has that profession influenced your attention to detail and artistic expression?

Working as a hairdresser for 22 years taught me a great deal about precision, creativity, and the importance of visual harmony — skills that have directly influenced my art. In hairstyling, you learn to see subtle variations in color, texture, and shape, and to understand how small details can completely change the overall balance of a design. That same level of observation now guides my approach to drawing and painting.

Hairstyling also trained me to think three-dimensionally — to visualize how form, light, and movement interact. This perspective helps me bring a sense of depth and realism into my artwork, whether I’m working with graphite, watercolor, pastels, or acrylics.

Beyond technique, working closely with clients helped me connect emotionally through creativity. That human connection — understanding how art or beauty can make someone feel — continues to inspire the expressive side of my artistic work today.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | Hava Nagila

You now also run a bakery. In what ways do pastry decorating techniques inspire or connect with your visual art practice?

Running a bakery has given me a fresh creative outlet that surprisingly complements my visual art practice. Pastry decorating involves many of the same artistic principles — composition, color harmony, texture, and balance. When I’m designing cakes or pastries, I’m essentially working on an edible canvas, using similar instincts for form and detail that I use in painting and drawing.

Working with icing, glazes, and decorative elements has also deepened my appreciation for precision and patience. The fluidity of frosting, much like watercolor or acrylic, requires control while still allowing for spontaneity — a quality I’ve carried back into my studio work.

There’s also something deeply satisfying about transforming everyday materials — whether it’s pigment or pastry — into something visually beautiful that evokes joy. Both art and baking allow me to create experiences that engage the senses and connect with people in a meaningful way.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | Jerusalem Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

Your works feature vibrant colors and joyful emotions. What inspires the mood and energy behind your paintings?

The vibrant colors and joyful emotions in my work are inspired by the beauty I find in everyday life — light, nature, people, and simple moments that spark a feeling of gratitude or wonder. I’ve always been drawn to color as a language of emotion; it allows me to express energy, warmth, and positivity in a way words often can’t.

My years as a hairdresser and now as a baker have also influenced this outlook — both professions are about bringing happiness to others through creativity. That sense of joy and human connection naturally finds its way into my paintings.

Ultimately, my goal is to create art that uplifts. I want viewers to feel a spark of joy or calm when they see my work — to experience a moment of lightness and beauty that reflects the energy I pour into each piece.

Knowing that my gift comes from God is at the heart of everything I create. It gives my work purpose and fills it with gratitude and joy. When I paint, I feel that I’m not just expressing myself, but sharing a piece of the light and love that God has placed within me. That awareness brings peace and positive energy to my creative process — it reminds me that my art is meant to uplift and inspire others.

The vibrant colors and joyful moods in my paintings are a reflection of that spiritual connection. They’re expressions of faith, hope, and appreciation for the beauty God has created all around us. Every brushstroke feels like a prayer of thanks, and that gratitude naturally shines through in the mood and energy of my work.

The figures in your paintings seem full of life, movement, and happiness. What message do you wish to convey about aging and joy?

Through my paintings, I want to celebrate the beauty, strength, and spirit that continue to grow with age. The figures in my work are full of life and movement because I believe joy doesn’t fade as we get older — it simply changes shape. With age comes wisdom, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for life’s simple pleasures, and that’s what I try to capture on the canvas.

I want my art to remind people that joy is timeless. It’s not limited by age; it comes from the heart, from connection, and from living fully in each moment. The bright colors and expressive gestures in my paintings reflect that inner vitality — a reminder that the light within us can stay vibrant no matter how many years we’ve lived.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | The Joy Of Being

Where do you find the most inspiration in your daily life—people, nature, personal memories?

I find inspiration in all three — people, nature, and personal memories — because each plays a special role in my creative process. People inspire me through their stories, expressions, and emotions; I love capturing the spirit and joy that shine through human connection. Nature inspires me with its colors, rhythms, and endless beauty — the way light moves through a leaf or the changing colors of the sky often spark new ideas for my palette.

Personal memories also play a big part. They carry the emotions and experiences that shape who I am as an artist. Whether it’s a moment of laughter, a quiet reflection, or a cherished time with loved ones, those memories bring warmth and authenticity to my work.

In the end, it’s really the combination of all these things — the beauty of the world around me and the gratitude I feel each day — that fills my art with life and energy.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | The Water Buffalo

What is the most meaningful reaction an audience member has ever shared about your art?

Yes, that reaction was incredibly meaningful to me. When the audience member said, “I think I am going to cry,” it really struck me because it showed that my intention behind the dove — as a symbol of gratitude to God for the gift of my creativity — had touched someone deeply. It was a reminder that art can communicate emotions and faith in a way that words alone sometimes cannot.

Moments like that are what make creating so fulfilling. Knowing that a simple symbol in my work can evoke such a powerful emotional response reinforces the connection between my art, my faith, and the people who experience it. It reminds me that sharing my gift is not just about creating beauty, but about touching hearts and inspiring reflection.