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

Alejandra , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

My journey into drawing pin-ups began when I was working AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER, by fortune, i HAD ONE freelance Project and haD flexibility in my work schedule. I’ve always been drawn to retro aesthetics and elements of gothic culture, inspired by figures like the Addams Family, Vampira, and Elvira. These characters not only capture vintage charm but also a dark, mysterious allure that has always fascinated me.

I met my current partner, Alex, who shares many of my interests and has always encouraged and supported me to explore my creativity. It was during some design classes i was having at the moment, where I came across the challenge of the #the100daysproject on Instagram. I decided to join in and draw every day. My early attempts were quite simple and messy, but with consistent practice, I found CERTAIN LINES AND SHAPES I WAS HAPPY AND THAT ENCOURAGED ME TO KEEP EXPLORING.

TWO YEARS LATER I was invited to my first comic con experience, it was in medellin, Colombia, I had zero money to produce ANYTHING SO I BORROW money from MY PARTNER AND MY PARENTS. It was a really good experience, because people connected with my art, I mostly sold stickers and a couple of hand made sketches, I got my first commission there.

After that, SOME people following my instaGRAM, asked me to open a shop where they COULD BUY prints of my art. Opening AN Etsy shop from Colombia was a challenge, especially with shipping to the United States, where most of my FOLLOWERS are located. I learned a lot about logistics and “HOW TO RUN A SMALL BUSINESS” along the way, and also met incredible people who helped me navigate those hurdles, and right now are a important part of my life.

The pandemic brought unexpected changes. To stay connected with my community and offer some joy during tough times, I decided to gAve away coloring pages on Instagram. To my surprise, they went viral on Twitter and boosted my FOLLOWERS NUMBER AND MY SALES in ways I never imagined. Thanks to this, I was able to quit any additional jobs, focus entirely on my art and meet the growing demand oN my shop and Patreon community.

Being independent AS A FULL TIME CARTOONIST/PINUP ARTIST has its ups and downs, from handling everything on your own to learning from mistakes. But each obstacle has taught me something valuable and helped me grow, both as an artist and as a person.

Today, I’m excited to continue exploring new ideas, creating exciting projects, and connecting with more people through my art on Instagram. It’s an exhilarating and challenging journey, but definitely worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Alejandra Oviedo, also known as Ruttu Ruttu, a graphic designer and PINUP ARTIST from Colombia. My artwork IS HIGHLY INSPIRED IN the world of illustrations from the 1920s to the 1950s, filled with curves and textures.

Describing my own style objectively is challenging because, honestly, I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing half the time. I like to think THAT my drawings blend ideas I lovE, with a mischievous twist. I draw inspiration from old cartoons, adult joke MAGAZINES, pin-up photos and scenes, horror comics, and lately my own friends and family. My drawings reflect influences from various artists and characters spanning the 1920s to the 1960s.

I particularly adore drawing women because it comes naturally to me. As a personal challenge, I strive to capture my pin-ups with minimal lines, aiming to express as much as possible with simple elements.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the ability to connect with people through shared interests, without needing words to express it. This inclusivity is something I cherish deeply. I’m passionate about representation in my art; all women are beautiful, and I love receiving comments from ladies who feel seen—even through small details in my drawings. Their feedback motivates me to explore not just shapes and sizes, but also contexts, infusing them with a playful humor that encourages self-love.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A valuable lesson I’ve had to learn is that there are no wrong answers or bad decisions on your artistic journey. Mistakes, sadness, and frustration are essential parts of finding better ways to make things work. While it may seem like everything I’ve shared here is filled with joy and success, I’ve also faced depression and made decisions—both in my art and personal life—that have impacted my work, how i see, and produce my art.

During those times, I’ve learned to take a step back, take breaks, and try new approaches. Being open to experimentation and persistent effort eventually helps me find my own path.

Things change; nowadays, is more difficult to live out of digital contents. However, I believe that every setback presents an opportunity for a new step forward. When things start to go wrong or change for the worse, it’s a chance to reassess, innovate, and discover new ways to navigate challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ruttu.co
• Instagram: ruttu_ruttu // ruttu_art
• Facebook: the art of ruttu — fb.com/ruttuart
• Twitter: rutturuttu