Daily Inspiration: Meet Ruben Moreno

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruben Moreno.

Hi Ruben, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From the moment I met Tucson muralist David Tineo in sixth grade—when he visited our school and led us in creating a group mural—I knew I wanted to be an artist.

My journey began with the artistic nurturing of my grandmother and the support of relatives from Mexico, who introduced me to the great muralists and calendar artists of our heritage. Their work inspired me deeply, awakening in me a drive to develop a politically charged voice through symbolism and visual art. Art quickly became the ideal language to explore my identity and express my beliefs.

As my passion grew, I learned just how vital it is for artists to shine a light on both humanity’s challenges and its triumphs, as well as the complexities of the natural world. Over time, my creative process became a way to work through difficult current events and, later, a path to healing generational trauma.

Early in my career, I felt compelled to give back, just as Muralist David Tineo had done for me. I worked with a YMCA after-school program, leading daily art projects for youth. This role soon extended into various mural projects with the youth and helped me get into a non-profit Art Collective where we championed young artists. Even on a small scale, watching young minds discover the spark of creativity—and see the value, power, and voice it can bring—was inspiring. It’s a gift that can last a lifetime, opening doors for personal expression and even professional opportunities, much as it did for me.

Today, alongside my ongoing artistic exploration and mural work, I serve as an exhibit preparator at the Arizona State Museum, part of the University of Arizona. The museum represents Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes and holds countless priceless Native American artifacts. I collaborate with curators and community co-curators to bring Indigenous stories to the public. This work is profoundly rewarding for me and the descendants of these tribes, as our exhibits allow communities to reconnect with ancestral stories and belongings. Personally, being able to work with and handle ancient Mesoamerican items fills me with pride and wonder for my roots and ancestors. These objects carry a special energy, and I feel incredibly fortunate to help honor and share them.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The desire to create art has ebbed and flowed over the years for various reasons. The pandemic took a lot of wind out of me. I couldn’t explain what it was, but it was also affecting my artist friends. This didn’t track with my usual m.o. Because one stereotype of the creative mind that I’ve adhered to all my life is being prolific during times of distress or sadness. But the pandemic was different; I’m still unpacking what went wrong there. What has been hard is keeping up with my artistic goals while maintaining a full-time job, relationships, and the slew of “to-dos” that life throws at us. Besides that. The inspiration sometimes comes on so strongly that instead of drawing or painting, I have to resort to writing down my ideas so that I don’t lose them entirely.

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 consider myself very fortunate to be working in the museum industry, a path I never envisioned after spending nearly 20 years in the sign business. When a position for Exhibit Preparator opened at the Arizona State Museum, an anthropology museum that represents Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes, I seized the opportunity. Now in my eighth year, I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in Southwest Indigenous culture and participating in the design and installation of exhibitions and hosting community events.

The work is remarkably diverse. On any given day, I might be crafting acrylic display vitrines and cases, building miniature dioramas, painting mural backdrops, or even producing animation. This role has challenged me to expand and integrate all the skills I’ve acquired, whether electrical, welding, carpentry, sculpture, or visual arts. It truly feels like a dream job, blending creativity with purpose, and it’s deeply rewarding to contribute to honoring and sharing these important stories.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve always considered myself a generally lucky person, an optimist at heart. At the same time, I was raised by a hardworking mother who instilled in us the value of building a good life through perseverance and keeping our heads held high. Her work ethic taught me that you earn what you desire by consistently putting in the effort.

This mindset has served me well, sometimes to a fault, these days, I’m always busy and have a hard time turning down side gigs. But I’m learning to be more selective, choosing projects that truly resonate with me. Ultimately, my hope is to one day focus exclusively on my own creative pursuits, even if just for a year. In many ways, I feel fortunate to have had so many opportunities come my way, if that’s luck, I’ll take it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rubenumoreno
• Facebook: @rubenumoreno

Image Credits
Please credit BG Boyd for the aerial mural photography, which includes my profile pic in the crane. All other photos are taken by me.