Ruby’s most current works are traditional paintings and drawings created in multiple mediums as well as digital illustrations of character designs and street scenes. Her art is primarily inspired by Asian culture, street fashion, nature and daily life and her works have been exhibited throughout California in Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego.

Ruby is also the founder of Blank Story, a line of merchandise, stationary and art inspired by characters and scenes from her story and some of her favorite things like nature and space. It is through her line of custom designed apparel and handmade accessories and stationary that Ruby is able to apply her skills in Fashion and express her art and storytelling through her creations.

Artist Bio

Ruby is an illustrator and designer from Elk Grove, California. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Northern California. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from California State University of Sacramento with a concentration in drawing and painting and a background in fashion illustration and design merchandising from American River College. 

Although she primarily focused on drawing and painting with oil paint and pastel while studying art in college, producing paintings and illustrations of ambiguous landscapes and figures without faces, she later realized that it was the facial expressions and subtle storytelling that she wanted to focus on. It was after graduating that Ruby continued her self studies in drawing, watercolor painting and digital art where she experimented more with portraiture, character design, architectural design and landscapes. 

Artist Statement

My name is Ruby and I’m an illustrator and designer from Elk Grove, California. 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 wood block 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 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. 

People often tell me that my characters have a very “ennui” quality, that they appear to be very bored or seem to be waiting optimistically for the next chapter in their story. Whichever the feeling is, my wish is that whatever the viewer feels when looking at my drawing and paintings, they are able to relate to my art on a personal level. And above all, I hope those who come to enjoy my art are filled with a sense of humor, whimsy and optimism for the moments to come. 

Ruby is currently studying in the Children’s Book Illustration Program at UC San Diego and is working toward writing and illustrating her first children’s book while producing illustrations for various authors and creating murals and designs for clients. Ruby is currently seeking agency representation as she continues to work as a freelance illustrator and designer.