Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Michelle.
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?
My name is Ruby, and I’m an illustrator, designer, educator, and aspiring author from Elk Grove, CA.
As a child, I loved to draw and paint. My dad, who is a mural painter and culinary artist, was always creating something, and often I would want to be right there next to him painting along with my paintbrush and learning by his example.
Throughout the years, I continued to create, whether it was drawing inspiration from children’s books, fairytales, comics, and anime or crocheting and crafting. I was always anxious to learn and see what I could make from my own imagination.
I loved to create so much that I carried that love for art into my college years. I majored in studio art and received my bachelor’s degree from California State University of Sacramento and then went on to obtain a certificate in fashion illustration from American River College.
In 2018, years after graduating from college, I wanted to branch out with my art and meet other artists – which was something I hadn’t done much in the years prior. So, I began signing up for group art shows and was invited to one called Do What You Love, For Sanity, at The Sandbox in San Diego. Heaven, my friend, was the organizer for the event, and I was honored to take part as a featured artist and have the opportunity to meet many San Diego creatives – from local artists and musicians to models and poets.
In 2020, I decided to combine my love of both art and fashion into a business, and it was then that I opened Blank Story – my shop for art, apparel, stationery, and accessories. I named my business after my webcomic of the same name that I have been developing the past few years and hope to turn into a published graphic novel someday.
In 2021, I began attending school at UC San Diego’s Division of Extended Studies and enrolled in their program for Children’s Book Illustration. During my studies, my love for books and illustrating pictures continued to grow. I hope to eventually release my first written and illustrated picture book.
These days, I continue to teach dance and art classes and workshops to school-aged kids at The Pop-Up Loft in Elk Grove as I work towards finishing my program at UC San Diego. Along with teaching and learning, I continue to make art for my shop, work as a content creator and produce illustrations, designs, and murals for clients.
My goals as an artist are continually growing, and I am happiest when I am working towards those goals. I hope to keep learning and creating new things inspired by the world around me and what I dream up from my own imagination. I hope what I create also inspires others in return.
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?
Being an artist has not always been a smooth road. However, I think this is with good reason. I believe that the best things in life are more worthwhile when we take the path that is the most challenging. I think we learn more about ourselves that way.
For instance, I didn’t always have the most supportive teachers growing up. I was discouraged from illustrating or even pursuing a career in art from a few of my art teachers. I learned over time that there’s a difference between being told what to do and being taught how and ways to do something. I think the more confident I became with my style and my art, I learned that I could learn ways to do something, but ultimately, it was up to me as an artist to make the choices for both my art and my career.
As a young artist, I let a lot of things hold me back. Harsh words can really instill fear when you are mustering up the courage to express yourself with art. But, at the same time, it was those experiences that made me really appreciate the guidance of those who genuinely cared about giving me the tools to better myself and my art. It also inspired me to become the kind of teacher who would always support and guide my students and nurture their creativity and artistic choices. Seeing them learn and grow as artists makes me want to do the same.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My art is inspired by Asian culture, street art, fashion, and nature. I also like to use bright eye-catching hues along with distinct lines reminiscent of woodblock prints, and Manga and retro illustrations from Asia. Along with my character art, I often use symbolic imagery like moons, clouds, and cherry blossoms to depict fleeting beauty. I like to create paintings, fashion designs, murals, and illustrations using pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and oil paint, while a good portion of my work is created digitally. Overall, I would describe my artwork as snapshots of everyday life with a twist of pop surrealism.
I would love for those who view my art to be able to create their own stories when they see them. I hope whatever feeling they have, it’s a good one, and they are motivated and inspired to create something that is unique and personal to them – like a Blank Story.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I think the world around me continues to be the driving motivation for me to make art. My family, my friends, my teachers, my students, and the people I meet play a big part in the stories I tell through my art and pictures. In turn, they are also my biggest supporters.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rubymichelle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubywenttospace/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCiaAOiUwPsegY9gyRpi0M1w
Image Credits
All photos by Ruby Michelle
