Ray Cirerol

A native of Los Angeles, Ray was raised in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. Los Angeles brought many opportunities for the young artist, ranging from mural painting to filmmaking. While living in the city, Ray attended evening classes at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where, he studied under Harry Carmean, whose Old Master's knowledge sparked Ray's desire to communicate visually. With help from filmmaker Romeo Carey and his father, character actor Timothy Carey, Ray became a visual effects artist. His work can be seen on Madonna's music video "Oh Father" produced by Propaganda Films, and is also credited on Universal Pictures 1990 movie release of "Darkman."

Ray now resides in Santa Barbara, California. This change in environment raised questions in his mind about his identity, spirituality and the human experience. These themes are evident in the development of his art.

Within the last decade, Ray has contributed his artistic services to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Parish. His oil painting of the Saint Juan Diego now hangs as the focal point of a shrine at that church. Additionally, he has restored a majority of the statues displayed within the church. One of those statutes, "Christ in the Tomb," dates back to 1854 and is believed to have been brought to California from Spain.

Since 1992 Ray has worked full-time at The Santa Barbara Channels Television Studio. Though the company has changed names and ownership, he has continued to develop within the company to his current position as production coordinator and set designer. It was through this job that Ray was hired for a commissioned project for Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's 80th anniversary. His illustrative ink drawing promoted Patrick Dougherty's outdoor sculpture, "Toad Hall."

Most recently, Ray has been commissioned by the Rev. George Brooks Jr. to produce three painting for the Bethel Church of Christ. He continues to make additional artistic contributions to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.