Meet Jessica Natalia Rueda | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Natalia Rueda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica Natalia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I did it for myself because the thought of doing something else made me feel so uneasy. Art is something that has always been present throughout my life, since I was a little girl, I would always be doodling or thinking about what I wanted to draw. Now today, I dream of painting and of creating and the first thing in my head is how would I paint this plant, or observe the morning sky.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am a recent graduate of the University of New Mexico (UNM) with a bachelor’s in art history. I have worked diligently throughout my years at UNM to gain understanding of art history, museum studies, and art business. My current mentor Federico Vigil, who is a world renown fresco artist, has taught me the beautiful techniques of Fresco. Some experiences that I have gained working with him are art studio practices, mural art, and art talks. As an art student and artist in 2021 I had the opportunity to intern at Judy Chicago art space: Through the Flower, where I did research and archiving, while also helping with tours of the art space and managing clientele. I also helped prepare one of Judy Chicago’s smoke pieces that she did in Belen, New Mexico 2021. In 2018-2019 I volunteered in a successful art gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico under the mentorship of Jennifer DeSantis, who extensively shared her knowledge of curation and business. I assisted in setting up art shows for local artists. Some specific skills I gained were communicating with artists and how to achieve their vision in displaying their works of arts, how to engage with the audience and inform them about the featured artist, and some basic knowledge on how to hang the artworks. In 2019 Jennifer sponsored my first art show, which was a great success and kickstarted my self-representation in the art business, but also whetted my appetite to gain deeper knowledge of this industry.
My passion for art began at the young age of eleven, and since then I have intensely studied the world of art and its great masters. I have been fortunate to have traveled through Italy, Spain and Mexico which has exposed me to their incredible art and expanded my world view of different cultures and traditions. This stimulated my study of different creative techniques and their application to my own artwork, which includes drawing, sculpting, painting, and digital/film photography. My aspiration for my future is to become an expert in Native American, Latin American Arts, and Eastern Asian arts. I believe that being exposed to other cultures gives way to traveling to those countries and creating the opportunity to learn from the perspective of the artist. My passion manifests itself when I am learning while being creative and this career field is perfect for me in every way because it is a constant study of creative people. One of my goals is to be able to travel for work, and to be able to help set up successful galleries/museums for artists and myself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to various coffee shops; zendo, the brew, Meraki. the restaurants I would take them would be; the shop, artichoke cafe, los poblanos, and a cute tavern in Madrid, NM the Mineshaft Tavern and Cantina
I would take them through the Bosque, the crest, old town, and south valley.
Some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places or things to check out is art walk that happens every first Friday of each month, there you meet local artists and you can buy as much as you like, as well as get to know the Albuquerque people.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes! First and foremost, to my father, Carlos, tia and tio, Karla and Ioscani, and to my grandparents they’re my solid support system and first art collectors. To my soon-to-be stepmother, Natalie, for listening to my ramblings and ideas of my art. To my mentors, past, and present, Jennifer De Santis, Carla Forrest, Jamie Marie Rose, and Frederico Vigil, thank you for your guidance and encouragement. To my lovely friends who have always bought my art at full price, even when I tried giving you discounts, and for always assuring me I’m doing good.

Other: email: jessnrueda@gmail.com