Alicia Wagner Calzada | 210SA Contributor His life experiences are manifested in Alex Rubio's art, including a piece about being shot in a drive-by.

WHO: Alex Rubio, 37

MEDIA: Graphite on paper, acrylic on canvas

BEST KNOWN FOR: Vivid, cartoon-like paintings of figures and scenes from the West Side of San Antonio, where Rubio was born and raised. He has depicted gang members, a street preacher, neighborhood stores and lowriders; he even painted his experience being shot in a drive-by. “I have utilized these memories and translated them into these iconic figures on canvas,” Rubio said. “The hard copy of these ideas is canvas and paint.” The figures are exaggerated, almost caricatures, and he uses a distinctive swirling brushstroke and intense palette. Rubio considers his work a form of storytelling, and he hopes to document and preserve West Side culture and traditions for future generations. His work has been included in several traveling exhibits, including “Chicano Visions: American Painters on the Verge,” works from the collection of actor/comedian Cheech Marin.

BACKGROUND: Rubio, who attended Kennedy High School, was “discovered” by representatives of the now-defunct Community Cultural Arts Organization who saw Rubio's graffiti on the walls of the Mirasol Homes, where he grew up. He began mentoring youths by helping them create murals for community organizations. Those roots are reflected in Rubio's present works on canvas — the paintings resemble graffiti in their style and composition.

CURRENTLY: As part of Artpace's International Artist-In-Residence program, Rubio transformed an exhibit room at Artpace into a West Side tire shop, complete with old tires, hubcaps, graffiti, a figure made of auto parts and a giant shopping cart. The sculptural installation, Rubio's first, is a multimedia collaboration with other San Antonio artists — including David “Shek” Vega and Cathy Cunningham — but it's based on one of Rubio's drawings, “El Carretón.” Rubio's work also will be represented in a two-man show with Vincent Valdez, one of Rubio's mentees who has become a star in his own right, at the Museo Alameda in December.

CHECK HIM OUT: “New Works 07.3” runs through Jan. 6 at Artpace, 445 N. Main Ave. “Pride of the Southside/En El Mero Hueso,” runs from Dec. 12 through March 23 at the Museo Alameda, 101 S. Santa Rosa.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor