Meet Genevieve Ramos

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Genevieve Ramos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Genevieve, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience was never a choice—it was a necessity. It was born the day my life split in two, when I woke up in a body forever changed. In the wreckage of that moment, I had to decide: sink or create something new from the pieces. Art became my way forward, my way of making sense of survival. It wasn’t just about expression; it was about transmuting pain into something tangible, something that could hold me up when nothing else could.

I come from a lineage of strong women, of immigrants who built lives out of nothing, who carried their struggles with grace and fire. My mother saw that in me before I did—she called me her Frida, and in that, I found a mirror. I saw another woman who lived through pain and still painted her truth fearlessly.

Resilience is in my hands every time I pick up a brush. It’s in my voice when I advocate for my communities, when I push against the systems that were never built for us. It’s in my love, in the way I hold space for the people in my life. I didn’t just survive—I became. And I keep becoming.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am Genevieve Ramos, a painter and disability advocate whose work explores the intersections of art, activism, and identity. My journey as an artist began as a form of healing after a life-changing car accident, but over time, it became a way to challenge dominant narratives and reclaim space for disabled voices in contemporary art. Through vibrant acrylic paintings with a pop culture aesthetic, I explore themes of resilience, feminism, and the power of self-representation.

I am an active member of Agitator Artist Collective and the National Young Women’s Caucus for Art, as well as part of the Access Team at the National Museum of Mexican Art, working to make the arts more inclusive. I was recently accepted into the EMERGE fellowship in disability scholarly activism and art with San Francisco State University, which will further deepen my engagement in the intersection of disability justice and the arts.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding my practice beyond exhibitions—finding ways to make my work more accessible to collectors and supporters who connect with my vision. I am developing limited-edition prints, workshops, and new collaborations to create a sustainable artistic career while continuing to push forward conversations about disability justice and representation.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are building relationships, making self-care a part of my practice, and always creating in community.

Building relationships has been essential—not just for opportunities, but for genuine support and connection. My advice to those early in their journey is to seek out like-minded artists, mentors, and collectives. Show up, engage, and build relationships rooted in mutual care, not just networking for the sake of career growth. The art world can feel isolating, but community makes the work richer and more sustainable.

Making self-care a part of my practice has been a lesson learned through experience. As a disabled artist, I’ve had to navigate how my body and energy fluctuate. Prioritizing rest, setting boundaries, and understanding that slowing down doesn’t mean stopping has been crucial. My advice: don’t let hustle culture convince you that burnout is a requirement for success. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your art.

Always creating and being in community keeps me grounded. I don’t wait for the “right moment” to make art—I create through all seasons, knowing that expression itself is valuable. My advice: create constantly, even when no one is watching. Engage in collaborations, join collectives, and surround yourself with people who inspire you. Art doesn’t happen in isolation; it thrives in shared spaces, conversations, and movements.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes! I’m always looking for meaningful collaborations with individuals, organizations, and businesses that align with my values of feminism, accessibility, and storytelling through art. I’m especially interested in working with galleries, museums, and arts organizations that are committed to uplifting disabled artists, as well as brands and companies that prioritize inclusivity and authentic representation in their projects.

I also welcome commissions—whether it’s a personal portrait, a custom painting, or a larger-scale project that involves visual storytelling. My work is deeply rooted in narrative and vibrant expression, making it a powerful addition to both personal and public spaces.

If you’re interested in collaborating or commissioning a piece, you can connect with me through my website or reach out via social media. I’d love to create something impactful together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.genevieveramos.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genevieveramos.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BhVAJwWav/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/musecrip.bsky.social

Image Credits

Christopher Ramos, Laura Suprenant