Ruben F Ruvalcaba

Hi, I'm Ruben, aka Ruflas, a Mexican artist based in New York City. I'm a Software Engineer, Photographer, and Painter who finds inspiration in nature, people, architecture, and the experiences of my own life.

As an artist, I am driven by the idea that leaving a trace of my existence is a fundamental human need. Through my art, I aim to capture and embody my essence in a tangible form, one that can be experienced and appreciated by others.

Creating art is not just a form of expression for me; it is a means of connecting with the world around me. I always allow myself to be fueled by cultural phenomena, nature, chaos, a thought-provoking conversation, a personal experience, or anything that triggers my inner self and allows me to interpret the experience in an artistic way.

Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to leave my mark on the world through my artwork. Metaphorically, I want my work to carry my DNA and persist long after I am gone. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own creativity and leave their own traces on the world.

In 2004, I started drawing and participating in drawing contests; my passion for the arts has been growing and developing ever since. Three years later, in 2007, I began painting and doing photography as a hobby. At the age of 25, I went to "Universidad de Medios Audiovisuales" (CAAV) in Guadalajara, Mexico, to attend street photography and filmmaking courses.

In 2019, I moved to New York City, where I explored film photography and painting in depth at "The Art Students League of New York," focusing on abstract painting and painting from life with acrylics and oil.

Nowadays, I keep painting at the league and at my home studio in Brooklyn.

February 2022: Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York
April 2023: The Tank, Art Organization, New York
May 2023: Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York
Feb 2024: American Fine Arts Society, New York