In the years 1945-47 he decided that painting was to be his vocation and studied watercolour painting under the direction of Alexander Kerr, whose studio was then situated at the old eastern market (now the Southern Cross Hotel).

At this time, Ramon was the youngest member of the Victorian Artists Society. During these years he also studied oil painting with H. Septimus Power at his studio in Little Collins Street. After leaving school in 1946 he worked with his father as a window dresser and commercial painter.

From 1947-52 Ramon joined the National Gallery Art School to seriously study art. Sir William Dargie being in charge at this time reflected great inspiration to the young student and greatly influenced his feeling for landscape painting. In addition he was befriended by Harley Griffiths (the Conservator of the National Gallery of Victoria), who coached him in the use of painting techniques and an appreciation of the great masters. During the five years full time study at the gallery he achieved several awards and scholarships, and in 1952 was awarded the Certificate of the National Gallery of Victoria (later to become the Diploma of the National Gallery).

During his time at the National Gallery, Ramon co-ordinated and managed a continuous display of paintings by fellow students Don Laycock, Lawrence Daws, Don Cameron, T. Couldry, W. Collins,

Judith Wills, W. Delicca and Betty Quechurst in the lounge of the Hoyts Park Theatre. In 1949 this was a unique concept.

In 1951 he was invited by G. Page Cooper to exhibit in the 9" x 5" commemorative exhibition at Tyers Art Gallery, Melbourne. The first 9" x 5" exhibition of Impressions on Cigar Box Lids was held at Buxton Gallery Melbourne in 1889.

In 1952 he held his first one man exhibition at Kozminsky Gallery, Little Collins Street, and won a special award in the Dunlop Art Prize with a painting titled "Studio Interior", at present in the Monash Collection.

In 1953 Ramon Joined the Victorian Education Department, later whilst teaching at Ferntree Gully Technical School, he met artist Graham Moore, the famous Kevin Bradley of the music world and artist Ray Crooke, they became firm friends. Ray left to live in Queensland, Ramon and Graham spent many years together painting on location at weekends and holidays, and many enjoyable evenings were had with Kevin in reminiscences about his painting days with Max Meldrum and A. D. Colquhuon. During these years Ramon’s commitment to teaching and domestic matters made painting difficult, however, Graham’s encouragement sparked a new life. In 1958 he was invited to join the Holly Group of painters.

From 1957-61 he designed and painted scenery for GTV9 Studios including sets for Sir Robert Helpman and the Covent Garden

Ballet Company, the celebrated Town Hall Clock background for the Graham Kennedy IMT Show, and many other backdrops and settings.

Sir Dallas and Lady Brooks become his first Vice Regal Patrons in 1962 with the purchase of an oil painting titled "Cookies Farm", a subject painted in the township of Wonthaggi.

In 1966 he won first prize at the Bright Autumn Festival. In 1969 he established the first Tonal Realism course of painting for the Clubs and Societies Council and Fine Arts Group at Monash University, and in 1970 received the Victorian Technical Schools Diploma of Painting and Design.

He was invited to become a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters’ Society in 1971. Then in 1972 he won first prize in the Sir Arthur Streeton Award. In 1974 he won first prize in the Portland Harbour Trust Award, and completed the Diploma of Education at the State College of Victoria, Hawthorn. In 1976 he had two paintings purchased for the State College of Victoria collection, also winning first prize for an oil painting in the Camberwell Rotary Exhibition. In 1977 he went on an extended study tour of central Europe, visiting all the major galleries and painting mostly in Germany, Spain, Italy and France. As a result of this tour he held an exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society which included a special full colour catalogue of the exhibition.

In 1978 his painting "Church of Santa Maria Della Salute" was purchased for the St. Kevin’s College Collection. Also, he was elected on council to the Australian Guild of Realist Artists.

In 1979 he became foundation member of the Waverley City Councils’ Advisory Board, for the purchase of works for the City of Waverley Art Collection.

In 1992 he was appointed to council of the Victorian Artists Society, with the responsibility as editor of the Society’s newsletter.

Ramon’s works are represented in both local and overseas corporate and private collections and during his career he has won numerous awards for painting in both oil and watercolours.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alan McCulloch’s Encyclopaedia of Australian Art.
Max Germain’s Artists’ & Galleries of Australia.
Michael Page’s Victor Harbour.
Ian Wynd’s Bella-Wein A history of the Shire of Bellarine.
Australian Impressionists & Realist Painters by Camberwell Rotary.