Rising Stars: Meet Rebecka Rubio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecka Rubio.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my art journey during the pandemic. We were working from home and I felt like I needed a creative outlet to help me cope with the new day-to-day routine while also having our toddler home with us. We all started playing around with some watercolor sets that we had, ordered some paper bookmarks on Amazon and went to town! My best friend, who is a sixth-grade teacher, wanted to add something personal to her welcome packets for her students. So she asked me to make her forty custom bookmarks. The initial feeling of being extremely overwhelmed passed and I got to work! A few days later I had made her all of the bookmarks and they turned out beautifully. I had a crazy idea that other teachers may also want to do this so I started staging the bookmarks on our kitchen table. My husband casually walks by and says, “What are you doing there?” so I told him, “I think I can sell these!” The rest is history! It took me about a week to figure out a business name and another week or so to psyche myself out to start a business Instagram account. I started posting the staged pictures and before I knew it, I had new DM’s every day for custom orders.

At first, it was just friends. Then word started to spread like wildfire and I was getting requests from people I didn’t know. It really took off from there. I really started exploring my artsy side, I practiced drawing different things every single day. It seemed that I gravitated toward anything floral. I started joining different floral drawing challenges on Instagram that were being hosted by some of my new art friends. It allowed me to be able to connect with tons of new artists and also to practice some florals that I wouldn’t have even thought of trying on my own. My business account blossomed with new followers every day and quickly grew from simple watercolor bookmarks to custom floral fedoras, commissioned art pieces and I’ve even had the opportunity to complete some amazing wall murals for some of my neighbors. I’m so grateful for this crazy adventure and where it has taken me thus far. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for this Left Brain Creative Mama. The creative possibilities are endless.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I never thought I’d be doing anything other than what I’ve gone to school for my entire life (medicine). It was not an easy road to get used to the fact that I was an artist, but also having the support of my family and friends made the transition a lot easier than it could have been. The online art community that I’ve joined has been simply amazing. So often in life, you find yourself comparing the work you’re doing to others. This community is very inclusive, it’s almost like having a whole roster of your own cheerleaders that are just along for the ride and are there to support you every step of the way. It was so hard for me to deal with Imposter Syndrome. My family would tell me what a great job I was doing and I’d come across other artists online that would be doing something similar. I’d feel defeated; as if I couldn’t continue what I was working on. The thing is, there will ALWAYS be someone else who tries to do what you’re doing. But are they YOU? Everyone is their own unique person. I know that my capabilities are unique and my own. That’s what I have to tell myself constantly that I’m on this road and it’s my own journey. I just have to embrace it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I can’t say that I really specialize in anything in particular. I love to dabble in all artistic mediums. There’s really nothing I won’t try at least once because you just never know if that one thing that you’re afraid of trying will lead you to the next best thing. I’m a firm believer that if you’re not challenging yourself, you’re not growing. I started with the watercolor bookmarks and my business has flourished to custom hats, wall murals and so much more! I love meeting new customers face to face at the different farmer’s markets and Pop Up shops all over Southern California, that you’ll find me vending at on the weekends. The markets allow me to connect with my customers so that I can offer so many different options for what they’re looking for. This journey has allowed me to reconnect with old high school friends and join forces! My friend Amanda started the Fem Power Den that is located in West Covina about a year ago. She contacted me to vend at her Grand Opening and we formed such a great friendship. She has her own Left Brain Creative Mama card shelf in her networking den that I’m so proud to be a part of! If you’re ever at one of her events, the cards are always on display and for sale. This crazy adventure has opened so many doors for me to partner with many art companies such as Sharpie, Posca, Grabie and Michael’s Arts & Crafts. All of which I’ve been a featured artist for multiple times. They send me all the new and upcoming art supplies to try and review. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it, it’s so fun!

How do you think about luck?
Well at first I’d say that making such an extreme career change, especially during a pandemic was all kinds of scary. But I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I’d say this entire journey thus far has been me trying to make my own good luck out of some uncertain times. It’s not always easy. I sometimes find myself in creative ruts. I have to remind myself that I’m human too and if I need a break, I take it. Sometimes some fresh air and a new perspective are all you need to keep going. I am extremely lucky that I have such a supportive and amazing Husband, David. Even when I think I’m down on my luck, he brightens my days and is a constant reminder that I will always figure it out. I am so very lucky to have the support system that I have.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/leftbraincreativemama
• Other: www.etsy.com/shop/LftBrainCreativeMama

Image Credits
Iliana Garcia Photography