Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodrigo Contreras Ruvinskis.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Mexico City surrounded by many creative individuals. My mother is an author, my father a freelance photographer. My grandfather was a famous actor and businessman in Mexico City. Going to my father’s house every other weekend, he would hand me a camera and say, “Go take pictures”. We would then go to the little darkroom he had in his studio and develop the shots I had taken that afternoon. “This one is crooked. Good try on this one but the light is over-exposed… Nope…Hmmmm… Nope.” You get the picture. But I guess as they say: “With every “No!” you get one step closer to a “YES!”
In 1985, at the age of 7, we had a big earthquake in Mexico City. It was a very jarring experience, especially for my mother. We ended up moving to Cuernavaca, a beautiful town about an hour away from Mexico City. We were staying in “Las Quintas” a very posh hotel in Cuernavaca when I had a “Back to the Future” moment that would change my life forever.
I was kicking around a soccer ball in a small grassy area of the main restaurant of the hotel when I accidentally kicked the ball to an American. He picked up the ball and in his gringo accent, asked me: “Como te llamas?”
“Rodrigo” I replied.
Soon after, this man was talking to my mother and two years later we moved to Cupertino, California. My mother and Mr. Springer (yes… that is what we always called him… don’t ask me why…) married on February 14, 1988.
I learned English in Cupertino. I adapted quickly. I continued taking pictures, but my main creative outlet was the piano, which I started playing at the age of 5. Every summer my sister and I would come visit my father and I would again connect photography in our adventures throughout Mexico.
Growing up in the Mexican culture of Mexico City was very different than living in Cupertino. Throughout my youth and into adulthood, I was able to continue to dance in between these two very different portals… The Mexican culture of food, laughter, and family… and the more structured, individualistic, work-focused reality of American life.
My main creative outlet became music in large part thanks to an amazing choir program by Shari Summers at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino. After graduating, I decided to get my AA in Music at the local community college. It was around this time that my sister gave me a copy of “The Autobiography of a Yogi.” The book had a deep impact on me, and I remember with fondness the way in which my mind and consciousness were uplifted after reading this book. Ironically, Steve Jobs, who at the time was also living in Cupertino, turned out to also be a big fan of that book. It is said that everyone at his memorial received a copy of the “Autobiography of a Yogi”.
Yogananda wrote the Autobiography at the hermitage here in Encinitas, which was given to him by a student of his around 1936. The first time I visited Encinitas was in late 1999. By that time, I was living in Illinois, studying music composition. Soon after, in 2001, I sold most of my belongings, including my beloved childhood piano, and made my way west to California. I tried out the monk life for about 6 months and decided it wasn’t for me. Yet the lessons I learned about stillness and connecting with nature have stuck with me.
It’s now more than 20 years that I have lived in the Encinitas area. I have a thriving private piano studio and about 5 years ago I decided I should give photography a try as well! I just finished a show at the Encinitas library and have a new show at Culture Brewing Co on the 101 in Encinitas beginning February 1, 2023! I’ll have a gallery opening reception on Friday, February 3rd from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Creativity teaches us so much about ourselves… the willpower and faith to go for it and believe in our vision, the volition to keep creating for the love of the process. The intuitive process and the synchronistic magic that comes with creating something out of nothing! I could go on, but I’ll leave it at that. I hope my images continue to reflect the beauty that I see surrounding us every day. Taking the time to go out in nature and capture these images helps me to slow down and feel the rejuvenative power and deep presence of nature. I hope you feel some of that magic as well!
Atentamente,
Rodrigo Contreras Ruvinskis
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
All in all, the process of creativity helps me to see all challenges as part of a greater whole. I just hope I connect with the right people that will help me to keep sharing in the images that I am passionate about sharing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Aside from photography, I have a private piano studio here in Encinitas. I started teaching in my early 20s and continue to enjoy sharing in the magical process of music with my students. Even after 24 years, I still feel a deep sense of gratitude and joy with all of my students.
My photography ranges from beach-inspired shots to street photography and landscapes. The week after my show at the Encinitas library I took off for a week to Yosemite. I now have a Yosemite show ready to go! I just need to find a venue to share them with all of you!
I do value the quality of the prints in my work at an almost obsessive level. For the show at the Encinitas library I had WhiteWall, a German print and frame company do the prints for the show. I invested a substantial amount and I believe when people go see the images in person, they can see the quality and spirit of my work.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Creativity is something all humans long for. Go out there and take pictures. Go get a ukulele and jam out! Pick up some paint and art supplies and spend a Saturday making stuff. Your soul will sing with joy as you realize how creative we all are. We just need to give our creative side a little love and attention! In-Joy in the process!
Contact Info:
- Photography Website: www.photostudio108.com
- Instagram: @photostudio108
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photostudio108/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rodcontreraspianostudio1893
Image Credits
Rodrigo Contreras Ruvinskis
