EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

RUBEN ROJAS

The artist who illustrates on the walls of Los Angeles

Conducted by Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

Ruben Rojas is a renowned artist based in Los Angeles, known for his captivating and uplifting art that adorns the city's walls. Born with a creative spirit, Ruben initially pursued a different path, but his passion for art eventually led him to fully embrace his true calling.

With a mission to spread love and positivity, Ruben founded the Live Through Love brand, which has become synonymous with his artistic expression. Through vibrant colors, bold strokes, and powerful messages, Ruben's artwork serves as a visual representation of his belief in the transformative power of love and human connection.

Inspired by the diverse and vibrant city of Los Angeles, Ruben's murals can be found throughout the urban landscape, bringing joy, inspiration, and a sense of unity to the community. His art has the remarkable ability to spark conversations, evoke emotions, and encourage viewers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Ruben is deeply committed to making a positive impact on society. He actively participates in community initiatives, collaborations, and social projects that aim to foster inclusivity, empathy, and personal growth.

Ruben Rojas' art not only beautifies the city but also serves as a catalyst for change, reminding us of the power we hold within ourselves to create a world filled with love, compassion, and understanding.

Ruben Rojas is an artist known for his vibrant illustrations displayed on the walls of Los Angeles. However, art wasn't always his full-time occupation. He has gradually developed the Live Through Love brand by working on various projects, one step at a time

Portrait Of The Month ( Sept 2020)

INTERVIEW

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers who don't know you?

Hello, my name is Ruben Rojas. I’m an artist, designer, and creator. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I still proudly consider it my home.

2- What aspect of your life made you change your professional path? Why art in particular?

It has been a transformative journey to become the artist and person I am today. Before embracing art as my full-time career, I explored various paths, but none of them felt quite right. Initially, I aspired to be an orthopedic surgeon, but circumstances led me into the world of real estate where I found success at a young age. However, the 2008 economic crash caused me to lose everything. I then ventured into financial advising, but the corporate lifestyle didn't align with my true passions. After five years, I began questioning my purpose and felt a sense of unhappiness and dissatisfaction. Seeking change, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. During this time, I happened to sketch a design for a hoodie, and a friend suggested that I transform it into a mural. This led to my first mural project and set me on the path to the rest of my life. Growing up, I was never encouraged to pursue art as a career option. It was never mentioned as a possibility. Society often emphasizes professions like law, medicine, or business, but art was not on that list. However, deep down, I always had a creative spirit and had been creating throughout my life. Once I fully embraced the identity of an artist, I rediscovered my passion for work. It was like finding the perfect fit for a hat I had always worn.

3- Those around you can be proud of your career, did you ever imagine having the success you currently have?

Never. I do not take my career for granted. It is a tremendous honor and responsibility to paint large public walls and share my artwork with others. "Success" is a subjective term. While followers, likes, and attention are nice, they are not the reasons why I do what I do. I am an artist because I feel a calling to inspire others to embrace love. The fact that my work resonates with people is humbling. I would not be where I am today without the support of those who appreciate my art. I am grateful to each and every one of them. Thank you.

4- You’ve accomplished many great projects in your career, spoken at TEDx conferences, Summit of Greatness, and many others. Can you tell us more about these? Which experience struck you the most and why?

As I continued to paint and spread my message of living through love, my work gained attention and my platform expanded. This led me to have the opportunity to speak at various conferences and stages, including TEDx and Summit of Greatness. These experiences allowed me to share my journey and the importance of embracing love in our lives.

One experience that stands out the most is when I had the chance to paint a mural inside a prison alongside a group of inmates on the exterior of their cell block. The mural focused on the theme of forgiveness, specifically self-forgiveness. The artwork featured the word "FORGIVE" with a shadow that spelled "FORGIVEN." This project was incredibly impactful and touching. It reminded me of the transformative power of art and the ability to create connections and healing even in challenging environments.

As an artist, I have an endless list of goals and dreams that I aspire to achieve. To name a few, I would love to paint the first mural on Mars, create large outdoor sculptures in major cities worldwide, establish my love logo as a universally recognized symbol like the Nike Swoosh, expand my clothing line and see it embraced by many, and design the uniforms for the United States Olympic athletes, particularly for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The possibilities are vast, and I am excited to continue pushing boundaries and pursuing these dreams.

Please note that the above responses have been modified for improved clarity and comprehension without altering the content or meaning of the original answers.

5- Your paintings carry a message of love, which has become your specialty and trademark, making them recognizable to others. Love is a central theme in your work, and it holds great importance to you. Could you elaborate on why love is important and if you have ever considered expressing other emotions or exploring different artistic styles?

Love and fear are the two driving forces in our lives, and the world often presents us with an abundance of fear. When we turn on the news, we are bombarded with negativity and despair. It becomes easy to forget that love and goodness also exist in abundance. My mission is to help people rediscover the power of love and find positivity amidst the chaos. Through my art, I aim to ignite creativity, foster optimism, and inspire individuals to view the world through a lens of love.

While love remains the core of my artistic expression, I have explored various emotions and attitudes in my work. I have created murals that center around gratitude, forgiveness, belonging, and other themes. One significant piece is my self-portrait, which delves into the depths of my inner dialogue, expressing both love and fear. Additionally, I incorporate different styles in my artwork, such as varying color schemes, unique lettering techniques, and the incorporation of positive and inspiring conversations.

In addition to visual art, I have also ventured into poetry. I have published a poetry book, sharing my poetic journey towards self-love. This serves as another avenue for me to convey emotions and further explore the power of love through words.

Please note that the above response has been modified for improved clarity and comprehension without altering the content or meaning of the original answer.

6- Speaking of love, is your heart taken?

It is taken by my wife Zee Rojas, my son Remmy Love and my pup Tuesday. They are my world. I'm so fortunate to have so much love in my life. It inspires me to share it with others and encourage them to love without fear as well.

7- Where can we see your paintings on display?

My work can be seen all over the world although the majority of my work can be found in my hometown of Los Angeles. My murals are public and free for anyone to experience. My paintings and sculptures can be seen in galleries, collections, or the places that hang and display them publicly. Most of my work can be seen on my Instagram account @rubenrojas and my website RubenRojas.com.

8- We saw your photos on display in the luxury French hotel the Sofitel in Los Angeles. How did this partnership come about? What was your experience like working with this team?

The partnership came about with The Sofitel and Cool Heart Gallery. The gallery holds space in the hotel and they introduced me and my work. It was an easy and seamless process working with both of them.

9- Which was the first gallery to represent you? How did you react the first time your paintings were accepted in a gallery or sold? 

The streets of Los Angeles. I began my career painting on the streets and transitioned from there to canvas and sculptures. I recently signed on with Aerena Galleries and they represent me in the Napa Valley region of Northern California. They have a wonderful team and we have a mutual vision of what we want to do together. 
The first time I sold a painting, it was so exhilarating I kicked myself. If I never sold another piece of my work, I'd still be equally as excited to be an artist. It’s a truly humbling and inspiring feeling.

10- Have you ever had doubts about your retraining career ?

Of course, immense doubts. I had a formula for success as a financial advisor. I had the playbook on how to succeed and make money. It's hard to walk away from a steady paycheck, benefits, and job security. I had no idea what life would look like as an artist, how I would pay my bills, and how I would feed myself. It was truly a scary unknown. Ultimately, I realized I'd be happier as an artist making ends meet than a guy with a corporate job and a tie.

11- We end with the question specific to Eclair Magazine. If you had any advice for the child you were in the past, what will it be?

I wouldn’t go back and tell my younger self a single thing because it would change who I am today and I wouldn’t be able to experience who I am right now.

Arts pictures by @Eclairmagazine