Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack

Your artist statement refers to Thomas Merton’s idea that art should “speak its own truth”. What does “truth” mean to you within your own creative practice?

Truth in my creative practice means being true to myself and my art. As an artist my goals have evolved over time.

At first I wanted create artwork that everyone would admire and want to purchase. My work took on a more commercial quality, the subject matter was trendy and I found I was not happy. I then began to do work not for others but for me and that is when I and my work found its place and its truth.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | Hot Coffee

Many of your works portray women in moments of confidence, reflection, or quiet strength. What draws you to female figures as central subjects?

Women are amazing creatures , we have many sides to us and it always keeps changing. I love creating women in all aspects of life, everything that make a woman a woman,her movements, her hair, how she chooses to have other look at her. Her beliefs thoughts, her confidence her strength and vulnerability. That s what always draws me to them as Central figures in my artwork I love capturing the female spirit.

In Hot Coffee, the figure appears as a black silhouette with only the red shoes standing out. What role does contrast play in this work?

The sensuality of the red shoes. I thought of Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz” Dorothy’s emerald slippers were powerful!

I could have made the entire painting as a Shilouette but it wasn’t meant to be a contrast it was meant to enhance her sexuality.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | Leather And Lace Boutique

Your paintings often combine elegance, humor, and emotional openness. How do you balance playfulness with deeper personal meaning?

While I am making my decision as to what I will be painting the emotions that I am feeling at the time plays a great deal as to how the work will turn out. Each subject gives me a sense of how the painting will turn out be it playful or a deeper personal meaning.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | Stanlee’S Bouquet

Flowers appear repeatedly in your works, sometimes as decoration and sometimes almost as an extension of the figure. What do flowers symbolize for you?

I have always admired flowers,not just for their beauty but also for their strength. For example, I was walking on a city street and I noticed that through a crack in the pavement a weed was coming through the crack seeking the light. Flowers are survivors and strong and much like me and my paintings

And flowers we are always,seeking the light.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | The Shadow Of A Woman

The women in your works often seem caught in a private moment rather than posing for the viewer. How important is intimacy in your portraits?

Intimacy is extremely important to me because that is what connects myself and others. I want to draw people in and that makes them become a part of the painting one on one.

Yolanda Ramirez Goldsack | Tree Of Life

Your self-taught path gives your work a very personal visual language. How do you approach learning, experimenting, and trusting your own instincts?

I must say that my artistic journey has taken me down many paths. As a self taught artist I am always learning and through trial and errors learning what works and what doesn’t. As my confidence grows it helps me move forward.