Kicking Rocks In All Directions

 

It’s clear where we stand today as a society. Whether you lean right, left, or independent, I don’t care, because the damage has already been done. I’ve accepted that I can’t stop a tornado and the chaos of decision-making that unfolds while we sleep. Every day, we wake up to new developments that either align with our hopes or bring unexpected consequences.

I care how these changes will affect us, whether they happen naturally or by force. Like COVID, we will all feel the ripple effects of executive orders that shape or hurt us. But with the complaints, one truth remains: we have a voice, and there is a call to action. We must empower each other to create meaningful change.

As an artist, chef, public speaker, and writer, I use my gifts to shape narratives that challenge, inform, and inspire. We all have a voice whether one of reason, distortion, or destruction, it demands attention. Culturally, racially, and spiritually, we are all navigating toward a greater understanding of our actions. At least, it seems to be that way.

Today’s debates often feel like an echo chamber, drowning out the most critical issues. Instead of endless online debates, let’s create. Artists like Joan Baez, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, and Banksy have shaped conversations through music and art. If you don’t consider yourself an artist, become one. Design greeting cards, speak at open mics, study journalism, or organize gatherings. Support local businesses, create flash mobs to uplift struggling communities, and volunteer.

I rarely discuss politics because my friends span the spectrum of beliefs. But my art will speak for itself when I perform The Alphabet Monologues: A Political Art Book at the University of Oregon this fall. It’s a show that goes straight to the core of the issues we’re facing in 2025. The Alphabet Monologues is more than a performance; it’s a political art book brought to life, using storytelling, music, and visual art to challenge perspectives and stir dialogue. In these times, let’s support each other, be kind, and serve those in need. Thank you.

My Stupid Stamp Signature!!
©Ramon Shiloh/2025 

Leonard Peltier’s Healing Meal

 

Walking a healthy path means navigating change, sometimes in unexpected directions. My journey has been filled with doubts, missteps, and uncertainty, yet each challenge has shaped my growth. Though imperfect, my road is mine, and I am proud of where it has led me.

As I embark on my next food campaign, I see my path aligning with service and healing.

I have been invited to cook a private dinner for Leonard Peltier and his family. An honor I never expected. This “healing meal” will reflect his journey and the new one he now begins. Through food and storytelling, it will embody resilience, understanding, and the lessons carried forward through time.

Each course will carry meaning, honoring the four directions in a Native way. It is my privilege to prepare this meal with care, respect, and love.

Kathy Peltier and her mother, Anne Begay, whom I’ve known since 2005, invited me into this sacred moment. I am honored to nourish Leonard when the time is right.

This moment feels historic, and I pray this meal brings not just sustenance but healing. I look forward to preparing it with gratitude, knowing my food will uplift those who receive it.

Titled: “Land and Sky Unite” The hatchet symbolizes time being chipped away, as Mother Corn nourishes us in times of need. As we smudge away negativity, we invite the eagle to carry our spirits into a new realm of sustenance. 

Welcome Home Leonard Peltier. 

©Chef Ramon Shiloh/2025 

My Partnership with Anne Mulaire

I am deeply grateful to be part of Anne Mulaire fashion company. Our journey together began when Anne reached out to me over Instagram, recognizing something in my heart that resonated with her vision. That connection led to a powerful collaboration, introducing my Indigenous Legacy Feather designs as part of an incredible collection for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2023.

As one of the first guest artists from the United States to collaborate with Anne Mulaire, I wasn’t sure how my art would be received. But when we debuted my feather designs, the response was so supportive. The artistic expression behind the feathers, along with the message we conveyed, resonated with people. To further honor and extend that message, Anne Mulaire created beautiful greeting cards featuring my designs, expressing gratitude for the artwork and the cultural significance behind it.

I am honored and proud to be part of Anne Mulaire’s journey and the legacy of meaningful, sustainable fashion. This company’s commitment to health, wellness, and environmental responsibility is inspiring. Their products are more than clothing. They are statements of care, respect, and purpose.

Thank you Anne Mulaire, for welcoming me into your family. I look forward to creating more designs and contributing to this beautiful movement in the years to come.

“Beautiful. Sustainable. Zero Waste. Buy better, buy less.

The natural fabrics used in Anne Mulaire’s clothing are grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers…EVER!”

Also, I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to @jodi_bnsn24 Chief of Sustainability and Climate Justice, researcher, storyteller, mountaineer, and ice climber.

“Since 2019, you’ve been driving the Anne Mulaire sustainability bus to greener pastures”, and I’m so grateful for your dedication. Thank you for being such a huge supporter of my work. Hugs and Love to you my friend!

For more information about Anne Mulaire and their beautiful clothes. Please follow them.

How Fragile We Are

Life is built on routine. We wake up, prepare ourselves, show up on time, and do our best. Over time, this routine becomes a system, something we refine until it defines who we are. It becomes our legacy with a path others might follow.

But what happens when everything we’ve worked for is suddenly taken away by forces beyond our control? In nature, animals adapt. When they fail, they retreat, survive, and try again. But humans struggle with loss differently. Instead of accepting defeat and moving forward, we seek revenge. We turn our frustration against each other.

For all our intelligence, we’re our own worst enemy. We harm not only ourselves but also the world around us. In today’s society, success isn’t just about building something meaningful. It’s about proving something to others. And in that pursuit, we sometimes forget what truly matters.

©Ramon Shiloh/2025

 

Thoughts entering my brain at 3am last night

 

Making America Great Again is a fallacy. It assumes that America has lost its way. But in whose eyes? I find it difficult to grasp the expectations of the world, let alone those who insist the country can no longer function as a unified voice.

From my vantage point, most Americans are simply trying to survive. Always working long hours to make ends meet. If someone is fortunate enough to have a little extra $$, they should be able to enjoy a break from the daily grind with hope, not fear. Yes, we face challenges with gender, race, religion, and class. Always have, yet instead of fostering real conversations, it feels like no one’s listening, giving a sh!t or offering an empathetic response to anything.

Our differences shouldn’t divide us; they should be the starting point for meaningful dialogue.

This country’s strength has always been its diversity. I grew up believing this country was built for people of all backgrounds. Yet today, we seem uncertain of who we are, acting like the youngest and loudest nation, struggling to define ourselves.

Take race. Ignoring history or pretending racism never existed won’t help us move forward. Neither will deporting people based on their identity or blaming entire races for societal changes. Most white Americans fear they’re “losing the country,” forgetting that they too, were once immigrants. To truly move forward, we must accept our shared history and embrace the bigger picture of what makes this country great, for better or worse.

In the meantime, I’m watching and documenting how this administration’s actions ripple through our lives. 

That said, welcome to the terrordome!! A realm of unpredictable behaviors we haven’t seen in decades!! 

🎨Medium: Prismacolor Premier Pencils and Sumi Ink 

©Ramon Shiloh/2025

Daily Inspiration: Meet Ramon Shiloh article by "Canvas Rebel"

 

ARTICLE

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS OF RAMON SHILOH'S "Alphabet Monologues" PERFORMANCE COMING SOON!

 

THE ALPHABET MONOLOGUES" A LIVE READING, ART SHOW AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCE FEATURING MUSICAL GUEST: "WORD PROBLEM"

“Good morning, class! Sit your asses down, open your books, and prepare for a transformative journey back to basics! Only this time, with adult risks at stake!”

"The Alphabet Monologues," directed, written, produced, and performed by Ramon Shiloh, isn’t just a lesson in letters. It’s a journey through today’s most pressing issues, using the building blocks of language to expose hard truths. Shiloh has captivated audiences at venues like "The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute", "Annex Theater in Seattle", and "Chehalem Players Repertory" in Oregon, with his bold approach to reimagining our familiar alphabet.

With powerful musical accompaniment by guest artist "Word Problem", Shiloh transforms each of the 26 letters into a portal to the challenges and choices that define our times. What starts as a nostalgic return to the ABCs quickly becomes a survival guide, with each letter unveiling a story or poem, illustrated with vivid art, that dives into topics like environmental crises, racial divides, and the existential risks we face.

Through art, spoken word, and live music, Shiloh invites us to listen, absorb, and reflect. As each letter peels back a new layer of meaning, we’re called to confront the state of the world and our role within it.

In this classroom of rediscovery, the show taps into a childlike curiosity only to reveal the gravity of our adult responsibilities. Imagine hearing that future generations might one day say, “Thank you for not being the douchebags you were in 2025.” This show aims to make that sentiment a reality, challenging viewers to rekindle compassion, question biases, and work toward a better tomorrow.

More than a performance, The Alphabet Monologues is a call to action. Shiloh’s vision returns to the basics to inspire critical thinking and foster meaningful change. With every letter, he reveals what it means to wield language as a tool for repair, empathy, and hope. This journey is designed to leave each viewer with a “Certificate of Appreciation,” a symbolic testament to the fresh perspectives gained.

In The Alphabet Monologues, Shiloh’s letters are lessons, his words are warnings, and his art is an invitation to grow. Through nostalgia, necessity, creativity, and critique, The Alphabet Monologues guides you from learning to action. Prepare to be schooled in the most unforgettable way.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Since my accident on November 11, 2021, which resulted in a fractured skull, I’ve been navigating challenges like dizzy spells, anxiety, insomnia, mild depression, and memory loss. For those who know me, storytelling has always been my foundation, carrying me through various Native communities across the country and shaping the narratives I felt driven to share.

After the accident, I returned to my roots in food as a private chef, but the stress and intensity of commercial kitchens was toxic for my brain health, risking further injury. So, I made the decision to step away from those environments.

Today, I am a full-time artist, seeking ways to support myself and create stability. I see this one-man show as a form of art therapy which is a mental exercise to help me strengthen my mind and counter the effects of my injury. This project is a chance to understand my own journey and explore how creativity can aid the healing process.

I owe deep gratitude to Donna Gentry Birnbach of Chehalem Players Repertory, who introduced a structured approach to my show that I hadn’t previously considered. Before meeting her, my one-man show had a more improvisational structure that I loved, but now I see how a defined format can elevate the message and bring clarity to the complex themes I need to convey. With each page I’ve created, I feel this show offers something truly impactful both for myself, and for my audience.

Looking forward to the possibility of collaborating with my good friends David Levin and Bob Lovelace again, if the time calls for another jam session with yours truly.

As I navigate theaters in the Pacific Northwest, rest assured that "The Alphabet Monologues" will be performing in a neighborhood near you in 2025. I'll keep you updated in the coming months. Thank you and be well everyone.

Art Medium: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils and Sumi Ink

Show Details: 18 and Over

©Ramon Shiloh 2024-2025