Local Artist Shares Homespun Wisdom

Local artist Raul Ruiz knew that he was going to be an artist when he was 7 years old. Today, he owns a gallery in town and has created many works of art, including the Elmer Kelton statue in the library. Furthermore, he judges art shows in museums throughout Texas and New Mexico, and often contributes his own art to art shows.

Much of Ruiz’s work is inspired by his time working with his father. Many of his sculptures and paintings depict sheep, ranching life or southwest landscapes.

“I’m known in this area as a West Texas sheep-shearing artist because I grew up working ranches with my dad, shearing sheep,” Ruiz said. “I’ve been in the art industry since, by faith, I opened my studio in 1988. I’ve been in the art business for all these years, and I’ve seen a lot of up and coming artists. But it takes work.”

Ruiz remarked that many artists want immediate recognition.

“No, it doesn’t work that way,” Ruiz said.

Years before Ruiz opened his gallery, he was an apprentice under famous artist Dwight C. Holmes. Ruiz said that Holmes “was a master at painting landscapes.”

Despite Ruiz’s love for sculptures with a connection to his ranching past, his favorite work is constantly ever-changing.

“Every time I get commissioned to do something, I want it to be my best piece,” Ruiz said. “They ask me, ‘Which is your best piece?’ and I say, ‘My next piece.’ I’m a guy [who's] striving to be better every time I paint something [and] every time I sculpt something.”

Ruiz compared creating art that reflects his history of sheep shearing with the topics that local Western author Elmer Kelton wrote about.

“I have a lot of great respect for Mr. Elmer Kelton,” Ruiz said. “I believe he wrote from the heart. Mr. Kelton captured his environment around him, the things that were happening. He did lots of good research, and he studied the subject matter.”

Furthermore, Ruiz also mentioned humorist Ace Reed as an inspiration for his art.

Like Kelton, Ruiz also does extensive research before beginning his work. He utilizes the library as well as the internet before drawing sketches and taking photos in preparation for each piece.

“I hear a lot of people say, ‘I just paint out of my head, or I just do things that I think I see,’” Ruiz said. “No. I have to see the subject matter, and I do my best to replicate it. You have to paint what you see. When I teach students, I don’t teach them to paint. I teach them to see--to see the colors better. And if I’m teaching to sculpt, I teach them to feel the sculpture.”

According to Ruiz, all artists, from photographers to singers, have to have a breakthrough in their career.

“That breakthrough happened to me when I was commissioned to do the ram and ewe in 1999 for Angelo State University,” Ruiz said. “Then I was launched into being a sculptor and a painter even more, but my greatest project was the Kelton statue.”

Before Ruiz was awarded the contract for the Kelton sculpture, he said he felt “inadequate.” He knew the project was going to be difficult. Not only did the sculpture have to resemble the famous writer, but there were a total of 13 artists bidding on the project.

“But, when I was awarded the contract, I also said, ‘These people have faith in me that I can do it,’” Ruiz said. “If not, I would not have gotten this project. If God wanted somebody else to do the sculpture, he would’ve put him there.”

Ruiz said that “there are things that are going to be difficult” for each artist.

“For example, when I was doing the sculpture for Mr. Kelton, he passed away,” Ruiz said. “Not many months later, the owner of the foundry who had been in business for 38 years passed away. So, I had two hits back to back, two difficult situations.”

To make matters worse, the foundry was sold and moved across Lubbock, Texas. Not only did Ruiz have to wait two months for the move to be completed, but the Kelton statue was damaged in the move.

“One of the things I learned is you have to endure all situations,” Ruiz said. “Stay focused on what the target is for the project you’re working with. You always have to be ready for the unexpected. But I believe it makes you stronger.”

Since the statue was completed, Ruiz’s career has taken off even more. Not only has Ruiz been commissioned to do other work, but he is often recognized by the public throughout the state.

“I’m real thankful for all of the patrons, for all of the ranchers, and the folks in the city who have bought my works over the years, and commissioned me to do work,” Ruiz said. “I’m real thankful to them because without them, I could not be where I am.

Ruiz also expressed gratitude to his parents and his family as a whole.

I don’t think success is worth it if your friends and family aren’t in it with you,” Ruiz said. “There’s a lot of people who can be successful, but if their friends aren’t with them, it’s not [worth it].”

For more about Ruiz’s work, read San Angelo LIVE!’s stories on the Elmer Kelton statue and Ruiz’s recently unveiled police sculpture.