Portfolio
"....How do we change the way we change the way we feel..."
-Raíz
My art always represents the idea that the beauty and amazement of a moment is found in self reflection. I have travelled the world for many years. Everywhere I go, the constant focus of my work always relates back to the indigenous people of the first nations around the world and their descendants. I was born in La Paz Bolivia and come from the Aymara people of the Andes Mountains. The protection of the Andes Mountains has preserved many traditions of my people from the influence of European Colonization. My hometown is the highest city in the world, at 12,000 feet above sea level. Altitude sickness, mountainous terrain, and constant landslides, have all done a great job to deter people from joining the community. Sadly, the constant conflicts of the nation resulted in my family’s displacement in the 80’s. Since then I have become a US citizen, accomplished college graduate of the Fine Arts, and a striving artist. Finding my roots, living in Bolivia as an adult, has been the defining inspiration to my ambitions as an artist. I want my art to inspire the communities of the world to find pride in their own communities and grow together.
Raíz, also known as Pablo Moisés Ruiz Arroyo is a fine artist inspired by surrealism. Having journeyed the world leaving murals as he goes along has been his career. Coming from La Paz, Bolivia, a country surrounded by the Andes mountain of many indigenous cultures, has been a huge inspiration to his art and life.
After being involved in the art world of Bolivia, he dedicated a year to travel north to California from Bolivia by land. He lived off painted murals, street performance, and chalk art as he traveled to California. He then traveled to Australia and left murals as he traveled the east and west coast living solely from his art. Soon after he passed through South East Asia leaving murals in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. After briefly returning to the USA for a mural conference he found himself in New Zealand painting more murals. After leaving to travel to Central America and Europe, to continue painting the world, he decided to return to New Zealand. After finishing a youth mentorship art program as director under an artist residency in Tauranga New Zealand, he has since then returned to San Francisco California. During his time in San Francisco he has been involved in various communal outreach murals partnered with local communities such as Precita Eyes Murals and the San Francisco Arts Committee. He has been involved in various public art projects in hopes of beautifying communities for the benefit of its people.
Education
Virginia Commonwealth University – Richmond, Virginia, USA 2005-2009
Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with focus in Communication Arts
Professional in areas of commercial art with education in digital and traditional medias, experience in commercial marketing
Lake Braddock Secondary School – Burke, Virginia, USA 1992- 2003
Advanced High School Degree
Experience
SELF-EMPLOYED
(freelance travelling artist for 6 years)
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muralist
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proficient in drafting concept art
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proficient in children’s book illustrations and magazine spot illustrations
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graphic designer in logos, advertisement media, publicity material etc.
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video editor
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traditional painter
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digital painter