Elevate Artworks beings renowned artist, Ol’ Blue Eyes to Fort Myers Beach gallery
Cristiam Ramos, who is in the Guiness Book of World Records for the smallest painting, is also known for having created art with the largest number of pieces of denim jeans.
One of his signature pieces of denim art is now on display at the Elevate Artworks: Art with a Purpose gallery off San Carlos Boulevard. A portrait of the legendary singer Frank Sinatra using approximately 20,000 pieces of denim jeans is being shown at the gallery which opened earlier this year next to Estero Bay Marina. The unique artwork with the startling image of “Ol’ Blue Eyes is for sale. It’s one of several pieces Ramos has done using thousands of pieces of denim jeans. His portrait of Marilyn Monroe using the denim jeans is well known. He has done similar works of David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Audrey Hepburn.
Ramos, a world-renowned artist whose art has been featured at more than 20 Ripley’s Believe it or Not galleries around the world, was in Fort Myers Beach recently to showcase his art and meet with the public and other artists.
Ramos, a native of Mexico and son of celebrated artist Enrique Ramos, is currently based out of Orlando. He is known for, among other things, being able to paint on butterflies. Ramos has access to exotic blue morpho butterflies from a farm in South America where they are raised for university studies. Ramos can paint elephants, beach scenes, moons and sunrises on the butterflies. The butterflies are not harmed, he said. He receives them after their lifespan of about three to four months ends.
“It’s extremely delicate work,” Ramos said. “The wings of the butterflies are extremely fragile.” He has been painting them for about 25 years. His butterfly artwork is currently on display at the Elevate Artworks gallery and is for sale.
Among his other artworks on display are oil paintings of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and George Washington. One of his specialties is micro/macro painting. His portrait of America’s first president also includes micro paintings of the Native American leader Geronimo, as well as American founding fathers John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. Other American political figures such as President Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Ulysses Grant, and John F. Kennedy are also portrayed within the larger painting next to the Statue of Liberty on one side. On the other side are American cultural icons such as Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jordan, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and Sinatra next to the George Washington Bridge with the backdrop of an American Flag. A large portrait of Elvis features smaller images of Elvis within. He also has a signed print of Jesus for sale, which is a print of a painting he did also using micro images. He also has a sculpture of Michael Jackson at the gallery.
Whether its butterflies or insects, Ramos can paint on anything and can even use toothpaste or candy. He is always looking for more subjects.
Ramos said he is the only artist known to work with toothpaste and use it as paint. He has painted a portrait of the late actor Robin Williams using toothpaste. Ramos is also available for commissions to do artwork.
Rodney Flounders, the owner of Elevate Artworks: Art With a Purpose, said Ramos is one of the most talented artists he has worked with.
“I’ve come across thousands of artists and he is one of the most talented painters and sculptors anywhere. He comes up with these unusual paintings and makes it work,” Flounders said. “He and his family are some of the most kind and genuine people I know.”
Ramos can be reached at through his website at https://www.cristiamramosart.com/.
Elevate Artworks: Art with Purpose is located at 17953 San Carlos Boulevard next to Estero Bay Marina, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.