Dragonball Z: A New Commission, A New Journey

" Dragon, Dragon! Rock the Dragon! Dragon Ball Z! "

  

I'm elated to display the 2nd Edition of a prior Commission named, "Arrival" which depicts the infamous fight between Raditz and Goku in the iconic series, Dragon Ball Z. This Commissioned Painting was requested by Kim Harrell, someone who met me in 2019 when I was selling my Art Work outside the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art). She had purchased one of my snowy landscapes and had messaged me one morning on Facebook (my old-*ss hadn't checked my messages for a while), but low and behold- a great reminder that people do remember me and my work, had arrived.

It really uplifted me entirely as I had been in a huge slump the past year and a half with the global pandemic lock down. It had shut me down as an Artist and I was gearing up to press the restart button. Her message and request for some new paintings was just the fuel I needed to get going once again. (For Kimberly Harrell)- Supreme Thank You to you for revitalizing this old king off his dusty art throne!

I'm a diverse Artist, so I paint many genres, ranging from Landscapes, to Pop Art, to Portraits, etc. She bought one of my Surreal pieces, alongside the DBZ request. Here is the process of how I painted it

 

 

 

 

Finished Painting (organic, as is)

 

 

 

Finished Painting (no edges, just imagery)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Original Commission of "Arrival" for Diego Q.

 

 

 

 

The other Painting Kimberly had purchased, "Once" from the "Tower of Babel" Monumental Series

 

Landscape Painting for Nomad Cafe

Happy Tidings

This is a special landscape painting I had gifted the lovely Nomad Cafe, of Ridgewood! I go there almost daily to get my favorite drink to start my morning- a large, iced coffee, with two added espresso shots, oat milk and coffee ice cubes. Oh yeahhh, give me that caffeine, babay! 

They have always been so kind to me and my mother who visits, that I decided to give something back. I surprised them with one of my ol' landscapes and they absolutely loved it! They explained to me how they visit Upstate to get away from the city to enjoy nature and its tranquil calm. This painting gave them a window to that whenever they may feel gloomy or such. They mounted it on the cafe walls, as I was pleasantly surprised to see it there! No matter how old I become, or how skilled I may be, nothing beats a good old-fashioned smile from those who you've just warmed their hearts.

Oh, and good grief! You must try their food and pastries! They are certainly some of the best I have ever had throughout Ridgewood! I like the name "Nomad" too. Kind of like me, a wanderer...

May you enjoy this for years and years to come, guys! Thank You. ~Ramon

Dragonball Commission

 

Rock the Dragon!

The inner child in me always smiles widely when I receive a paid commission to create something from my nostalgic past! Whether it be Dragonball, Pokemon, Super Mario, you name it!

 

Well, I happen to have one particular client named Diego whom has been a happy patron throughout these past few years. It started with Pokemon! Then, once he found out I can paint anything, he would ask me for Dragonball-inspired pieces. How could I refuse? These were all so fun to make, and knowing that this is my profession makes it all the more sweet! It truly humbles me and I appreciate that people still love the simpler things in life, like cartoons from our upbringing!

 

Diego and the rest of the world, please by all means, 

Keep the requests comin' ! I'm more than happy to fulfill all of your custom dreams upon canvas!

 

 

 

Inner Conflict Resolved

For the longest time growing up, I had this thought that in order to be "taken seriously" as an Artist, that painting cartoons and such would not be the way. Boy, what a bald-headed lie! It is without a doubt true (thankfully) that it only matters you love what you do. That Love, will add a certain "magic" to whatever your creation may be. It gives you more inspiration to keep going and makes the next masterpiece even better, now that it's fueled! I suppose I certainly have (or had) the remnant "advice" in me from long ago that I should "stick to one flavor" of Art. I never understood why, if you're good at it all and can present yourself properly. Sometimes when you deal with limited people, you get a limited result or observation. It's best not to listen to these types of people, as they will hinder what you in fact, can do!

 

 

 

 

If I had all Seven Dragonballs

Within the story of Dragonball, it is said that those who collect all seven Dragonballs scattered throughout the world will be granted one wish from the Eternal Dragon, Shenron! I had the same wish long ago, and it remains the same today: To be with my loves ones throughout all of Time and Existence. In some form or another, but always together. There is nothing at the core, more precious to me than the ones I love and that love me. They are my ultimate treasure.

What Would You Wish For?

 

 

 

 

 

This Painting is one of my Dreams Come True

You know, in a way this painting is another ounce of a dream come true, added to the ocean of fulfillment. Every drawing I ever drew, every painting I ever struggled with, every moment I ever looked forward to or doubted, it has been to lead me to the next level... and the next level... and the next level, until one day I arrive at a certain level. I strongly feel that time is approaching the more effort I put in. That excites me but oddly scares me in some way. Maybe it could be, I don't want to get to the end..?

The Making of this Painting (see video) -> Also, Follow Ramon Trif on Instagram: @ramontrif

Am I Rainbow? Yes I Am

The many faces of Mister Rainbow (left to right: Prime Mode, Zero Mode, Never Mode)

Who is the elusive Mister Rainbow?

 

Somewhere between the fragments of memory and the rivers of reality, does Mister Rainbow lie. Mister Rainbow is the moniker given to Artist Ramon Trif, as he is driven by his passion for colour, variety and the freedom that infinity gifts. We are always changing, yet always the same. In this, does the spirit of Mister Rainbow live in all of us. We are all 'Rainbow' in some fashion; the representation of an unstoppable phoenix which burns the embers of eternity inside each of us. Every moment do we die and rise again, to live. We are the immortal, singing the song of forgetfulness. Each, in our own flavor. Our own colour. We fashion duality, as does Light and Dark dance the Waltz of Possibility. Choice arises from the ashes of forgetting. Mister Rainbow, is the intertwined denomination of The All. You and I, he and she, they and we- All One. Mister Rainbow uses the powers of Dark & Light, Colour and Transparency to weave his masterful collections. There is a story to tell in each of his works, if you look deeply enough- within you. Within the mirror.

Am I Rainbow? 

Yes I Am

The Theatrics of Art, Wrestling and Life

 

Art Mimics Life

 

Wrestling is another one of my most joyed past times. Yes, I know it's rehearsed, staged, and not genuine in its emotion. It's an act. A superbly executed one. Why wrestling fans roll their eyes at you when you mention the obvious, is the fact that it's no different than a scripted movie presented as authentic at the cinema. It's all fantasy and it's all known to be that. Suspension of disbelief is what comes with a well-told story, is all. What gets me to realize the simplicity of many a mind is that there are much more important things occurring in reality that are presented as real, that are nothing more than a deception. Politics is notorious for this. We all laugh and know better than "to trust a politician", but wisdom be damned, you still feign interest like a stringed puppet dancing to their tune. That's the punchline in this all. We're duped on a daily basis and we yell for honesty, demanding it at all costs. What a crock. We are a species of illusion and denial. Art, is no different. The Artist merely smears paint upon thread so deceivingly well that it invokes a reaction out of you. It may bring you to tears or put a wide smile on that face. But, in the end it's nothing more than an acrylic concoction guided by my mind's hand. It's purposeful. It plays upon the initial Trust that each human in some form must give in order to move forward.

The Art of Role-Playing at its Finest

 

Vincent Kennedy McMahon, Chairman & C.E.O. of the once WWF, now WWE is the kingpin of wrestling or "sports entertainment" as he coins it. Many fans gawk at that term, but that's exactly what it ultimately is, it's a show. Yes, supreme athleticism and real-life danger is involved on the level of a stuntman, but it's still a produced and scripted show. I feel that it's a much grander achievement, to merge the physical capabilities of an actor combined with the focused emotion of a story line, than it is to simply "shoot wrestle". That's kind of boring after a while, if no drama is involved. At a deep level, isn't that how life itself becomes more entertaining? Do you not need a villain and hero to play the roles of "good guy" and "bad guy" in order to enjoy the story? It's the same with WWE's "heels" and "baby faces". These are terms given to wrestlers within a certain scheme of the plot. What you're essentially watching is a mirror of life imitating itself. There are heels and baby faces all throughout the world, and you're one of them! To go even further, at times you swap roles. You go from heel to baby face and vice-versa. Constantly. Some people flop to serve their needs. Others act out their role for "deeper" reasons. Whatever the case, the fact remains that we're acting at some level. So, what are you really? That's for you and only you to figure out and to remember. Until then, just enjoy the show!

 

Tower of Babel

Who I Am

 

1st Row represents Friendship & Relationships in General. The acrylic swirlings are circular in stroke, as life is a circle. It comes round each time, regardless of circumstance.

 

2nd Row is dedicated to the elements of love and romance. The happiness and the regret one's heart feels along the way. The paint flows up and down, as we "fall" in love.

 

3rd Row reserves the memories of losing someone precious to you. It is of honouring death, its mirror of life and the reasoning we give it. The strokes are from left to right, mimicking the unfolding of a story. 

4th and final row is what I personally cherish. That being fun past times, animals, nature and myself. If you don't love yourself, then you're a sucker for life's illusion. The energy of the colours burst from its center, like a soul.

 

"Tower of Babel" by Ramon Trif

Art is Everywhere, Even in the World of Pokemon!

Gotta Paint 'em All!

Primarily, I'm an Artist. That doesn't mean that I don't thoroughly enjoy other things in life, such as one of my favorite past times- video games! One of my most cherished franchises is that of Pokemon. No introduction is needed to what Pokemon is, and for those who don't 'get it', go give it a shot yourself. Or don't, not my business. What I am here out of my (Artist) duty, is to share what elates me each time I stumble upon it. That is, finding Art in the world of Pokemon (or any video game for that matter). It's like an inception of sorts, art within a masterpiece. Gotta love it. Pokemon to me, is another word for variety, choice of colour, the beauty of difference and of being unique, even when you may feel outcast. You're not, and that's what Pokemon has taught me. There is a home for everyone, to belong and to feel welcomed. 

The Historic Town of Stow-On-Side

"A vibrant town that has grown up around an ancient mural tucked away in the mountains." That's the description the town sign reads upon entrance. Gets you excited to explore, as Art should! What's intriguing about this in-game mural (aside from its beautiful charm and style), is the secret it bears. For those that have played the game (spoiler alert!), it serves as the gate for the Land's ancient defenders, Zacian and Zamazanta. They were two knights who represented the sword and the shield, the tools used to defend their kingdom. Their names are also a play on the colors "cyan" and "magenta". Their colors do match, in accordance. Simply put, it's a breathtaking tale in which inspired me enough to write a blog post about it.

Another Nod to Artists in Pokemon: Smeargle