Meet Diego Monterrubio | Artist & Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diego Monterrubio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

In talking about my artistic roots, my grandfather Victor Monterrubio once said to me as a young boy, ‘El arte lo tienes en tu sangre’ (‘Art is in your blood’). My grandfather was an illustrator for Coca-Cola in Mexico for more than 40 years and I didn’t fully understand the phrase, but with time and experience I learned the truth about what he said. With his direction, I discovered an art portal to both peace and purpose. Art allows me to release and express my artistic creativity. It allows me to go into a sphere where only I have the key. My art comes from within. It comes from what I have seen and digested. It comes from ethereal feelings and surreal moments. It comes from love and pain as well as laughter, memories and tears.

I believe my artworks are ambassadors from the little misunderstood realm of my imagination and in this realm my images materialize and exist in my work and heart. They have become my offspring.

This journey started as a child and growing into adulthood with many learning experiences – some good and some heartbreaking. Life teaches us lessons. We must accept. We must learn. We must grow.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My career started like most dreamers…work, create, wine & love. Not necessarily in that order. I wanted that romanticized bohemian life…the Artists life. I was a nomad. I worked in the fields with my father. Moved to the Bay Area. Grew up in Tampico, Mexico. Graduate school in Texas. An art residency at the Arts Students League in New York. Roamed around in Paris, Madrid, & Rome one summer. While making a longer stop in Fresno, California, I was honored with an art residency at the Fresno Art Museum that lasted 3 years. During this time, I was surrounded by not only artists but art educators. I was enlightened with life and art. The Fresno Art Museum allowed me to teach art classes to hundreds of students from the Fresno Unified School District. This is where my life changed course.

With the advice from Fresno State sculpture Prof. Ed Gillum, he advised me to pursue an MFA and become a professor. “Teach art Diego…I can see it already in you”.

After finishing up my BFA at Fresno State & MFA in Texas, I pursued a teaching profession just as Ed had suggested. Over the last 12 years, I have taught multiple disciplines in art at California State University Fresno, National University, and currently as an Adjunct Professor at Bakersfield College. I have also taken a position the Kern High School District as an Art Teacher/Mentor at Central Valley High School. I am also a full-time active artist. I have exhibited in several parts of the USA, France, Vietnam as well as in Mexico. In 2017, I was honored with an award from the Mexican Consulate for my career in the arts.

Was it easy? Not at all. I have lost many things and people along the way. I have also gained many things and people along the way. I am a firm believer that life will knock you down. I also believe that you can get back up and start over whenever necessary

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So many places… The Getty for breathtaking views.
The LACMA for an afternoon of art and cocktail on the patio.
The Perch for dinner and a gorgeous sunset.
Brunch and Fun at Olvera Street.
The Last Book Store…what an amazing collection of books.
Walk into Hollywood…never a dull moment.
Finally….champagne on the beach to catch the sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My Shoutout goes out to so many people and books that have helped me along this journey. I live by so many mottos and creeds: For instance, “The people who give you their food, give you their heart” -César Chávez. I have been nourished by a cornucopia of surrealism, sweat and scars that came from crossing rivers, mountains and borders.

My first SHOUTOUT goes to my parents, Diego & Rita. My blood comes from hardworking working father with who I spent many seasons together working in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley which taught me grit and endurance. Secondly, to my beautiful mother, my first love, my queen who has given me an immense unconditional love since birth.

Next, I’ve been fortunate to have had a few mentors in my life: Thomas Howell and Philip Field.
I gravitated to Tom in community college after the passing of my grandfather. He was my Art professor at Porterville College. He took me under this wing. I want to give a SHOUTOUT to Tom for never leaving me behind and helping create my swagger.

I met Prof. Phillip Field in graduate school at the University of Texas. He was my Professor of Art in Studio Painting and on my thesis committee but he was more than that. We spent countless hours in conversation in my studio about art and life. Thank you Philip for taking the time in your life to nurture my mind. You are gone but not forgotten.

To my family and friends…Mad Love and a big SHOUTOUT to you all. I share my life with you all. All of you exist on my palette.

Lastly, my last SHOUTOUT:
A Dios y a los Dioses
Que me han cuidado durante este viaje,

Amor y Paz,
Diego

Website: www.diegomonterrubio.weebly.com

Instagram: @diego_monterrubio @pintormonterrubio

Twitter: @MonterrubioArte

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diego.g.monterrubio