Today we’d like to introduce you to Efren Rebugio, Jr.
Hi Efren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Florida but grew up in Hawaii before returning to Florida at the age of 14. Like many artists, I’ve always drawn as a kid. Copying cartoon characters, creating flip-books, and drawing the names of friends. I took a few beginner art classes in high school and early on in college. However, through pressures from family and society, I went a different route. I ended up getting a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine. After working for a chiropractor rehabbing her patients, I started to feel my dreams slip away. At 25, I decided to pursue art. I studied graphic design in Tampa, FL for a few years. While working freelancing graphic design gigs and designing custom t-shirts, I felt the need to try to be my own boss. It wasn’t until I was 27 that I felt comfortable accepting myself as an artist.
I’m a self-taught painter, learning mostly by painting with other artists. While in Tampa, me and other artists created art events at a co-op space called The Roosevelt. That’s when I started to paint live. I started off painting semi-large scale on old doors and up-cycled materials with acrylic. At The Roosevelt, I met a guy named Nick Algee. He was one of the co-owners of the space and later became a mentor, friend and brother. Through him, I became exposed to painting live at music festivals. For the past ten years, I’ve painted at over 50 festivals and events, learning so much about myself and my creativity and work ethic along the way.
I left Florida and moved to Austin at the end of 2012, where I discovered Castle Hill, aka, the graffiti park, aka, The HOPE Outdoor Gallery. It was here I learned how to spray paint. I met artists that I’m still close friends with today. There, I also met clients, organizers and art supporters. Most notably, I met Andi Scull of the HOPE Campaign and the founders of sprATX, Heath Speakman, Jay Morgan and Molly Maroney. Through the friendships and partnerships, I built with them, I found opportunities that elevated my work and career to higher levels. I would not be where I am today without them.
Growing up, I was influenced by the graffiti culture. I am not a graffiti writer. However, I do like the names, aliases and monikers that have come from the graffiti world. Rather than just going with my name, Efren Rebugio Jr., I wanted to create a sort of brand for my work. As a play on my initials, ER, I chose the moniker Everyday Research. I love learning and I know the importance of learning something new everyday; whether about art, science, or myself, learning, soul-searching, and researching is something I love doing.
Over the years, I’ve had an abundance of opportunities in Austin, from being commissioned to paint murals, to showcasing in galleries and events, to organizing art shows, to teaching spray painting lessons, and the list goes on. I am beyond grateful for my journey and everyone that has helped me along the way. I love the Austin art community completely. It has such a loving and supportive vibe and a collaborative energy that inspires me regularly.
I’ve been a full-time artist for about seven years now, after quitting my last graphic design job back in 2014. There was a few months when I had to bus tables at a taco shop, which was a personal reminder of what it really takes to follow my dreams; focus, discipline and courage.
I am still learning. I am still finding my style. I am still figuring out what it is I really wanna say with my work. It’s all a process and all a part of the journey. I’m grateful I am surrounded by a community filled with talented artists, art-loving business owners, and art supporters that help make this all possible.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Along the way, there have been many ups and downs; times when things came easy and times when things didn’t go my way at all. I have been very fortunate in that my network has been a major factor in presenting me with great opportunities. My hunger and drive allowed me to recognize that hard work outweighs the talent I have. The struggles I had to endure were just opportunities for me to be more disciplined, to be more proactive and to dig deeper into my creativity. Where I struggled was where I failed myself. Whether it be me not being professional or being too lazy, I’ve failed a lot throughout the years. As an artist, I have to become my own manager, accountant, and even marketing team, on top of working on my craft. It’s through my failures that I’ve learned how to better in those roles. And asking for help and learning from others is important to grow. I have also struggled with creating paintings that I wasn’t completely happy with. I still feel like I am finding my style and constantly rewriting the story I want to tell.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I paint murals, paint live at events, create paintings on canvas, paint installations at music festivals, freelance graphic design, and design my own apparel. In my work, I paint a lot of fauna and foliage. I feel that nature has a lot to teach us; aspects and traits that we can adopt in our lives to help us be our best selves. My work is also known to have vibrant colors, like turquoise and pink all throughout it. These colors remind me of the beach at sunset.
I have a lot of experience painting live, which involves me creating a piece from start to finish, anywhere between 1 hr to a full weekend. Because of my extensive experience with painting live, I feel really proud of my ability to share the process of creating art in front of a crowd. When painting live, I feel like I’m in my element.
What’s next?
Recently, I have been working on focusing more on studio work. Over the past five years, most of the art I have created has either been a live painting or a mural. When working on canvas, I’m able to explore and discover more about myself and my work. I am looking forward to having my very first solo show in the summer of 2022.
Contact Info:
- Email: er@everydayresearch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayresearch
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydayresearch
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/evrydayresearch
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXP0rdQvvU_oTO6mdDVGaRQ
Image Credits:
Tony Moreno
