We were lucky to catch up with RUBEN REYES recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, RUBEN thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

In the moment that I decided to make my artistic activity something more “professional” I had to establish a discipline that was more related to a work schedule and set goals; I started working on creative processes and execution of new pieces of art with a daily schedule in order to respect or allocate the necessary time, this with the intention of not having dispersed processes and leaving them free on weekends to also have rest periods to clear the mind. Drawing and painting every day for periods of 4-5 hours can be very exhausting, especially mentally. All of this has created a regularity for me and, above all, knowing that during these “process” times they are only for this and so I can be more focused and concentrate on achieving my purposes or goals. In these last few months, in addition to making paintings and drawings, I am making clothes with art designs that I make myself, which has even led me to establish defined periods of work and thus obtain better results.

RUBEN, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Rubén Reyes Aguiar, born in the state of Baja California, México, on March 20th, 1989. Graduated in law and ex-alumni of the American Language Institute of San Diego State University, draftsman and painter by passion with experience as resident at the New York Academy of Art on 2022, my style has focused mainly on representing flora and fauna in pictorial works from Baja California (Mex) and California (USA) region, having a special affinity and inclination for figurative art and details. With the paintings and drawings that I carry out I intend to generate a greater collective consciousness; we are part of a whole, connected, that constantly interacts; we must not detach ourselves from the environment and its natural composition; that is why that feeling and passion arose to use art as a tool of expression, we can recognize, value, clarify our ideas and concepts and develop skills and attitudes necessary to coexist harmoniously; people, culture and environment as a unique element. Highlight natural beauties and seek to be appreciated and recognized as an element and value that requires everyone to preserve them.
The work that I have done lately represents the moment of transition that my work is experiencing. I intend to recognize the woman or the female figure as a valuable, beautiful element that deserves all our respect, as well as mother nature. I try to represent the female figure in its most natural state.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

It seems to me that with the imminent and increasing creation of the metaverse and the continued growth of video game platforms it will be interesting to see how NFTs will interact. Personally, I think we should diversify as much as possible and more towards new technological trends. Be at the forefront.
I have some pieces of my art on NFT giving them a digital record and value keeping it as unique works and although copies of the asset may exist, the encryption will manage to keep it original and possibly priceless. Time will tell.
https://opensea.io/collection/artemxbajanorte

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It is a unique and wonderful feeling when someone acquires something that you have created. Feeling that the process and the execution is being rewarded keeps me motivated to continue creating. And sometimes not only if someone buys me something, usually positive comments or a compliment is enough, specially in art exhibitions is when this happens, so it is always good to be looking for the possibility of exhibiting alone or accompanied; meeting people involved in the artistic environment that always leads you to new chances to grow and learn new things.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artemexicanobajanorte/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artemexicanobajanorte