Today we’d like to introduce you to Rudy Campos.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Well, as we all know, two amazing happened in 1984. The Transformers cartoons hit Saturday morning Cartoons and Rudy Campos was born. Coincidence…. no. Planetary alignment…. yes, lol. I was a kid of the late 80s and 90s which were I think the gold seal of comics, cartoons, and toys. I grew up in a middle-class family with two amazing parents that supported my artistic imagination. As a kid, I was really in Transformers and Monsters. As a kid, my father would take me to different comic conventions around the country and made it so his business trips would be the same week as to take me to the cons. There was where my eye opened up to toys and art from around the world. I still have my favorite collection of monster toys from when I was in 8th grade. It was a line of female monster toys that took inspiration from the classic Universal Icons of the 40s and 50s. Looking at them now, I can see why I took a liking and passion toward body paint and makeup Fx.
After high school, I did what most kids do and took to college. I’m diagnosed ADHD and college was not a right fit for me or my ADHD. I told my dad that I didn’t want to go to college but just work. Being the supportive parent, he is he told me I needed a trade and sent me to makeup school. I had dabbled in fx in high school so this seemed a good fit. My father not being able to go to music school himself, I think understood. So, he supported a decision for unconventional education and let me follow an artistic journey.
I went to school for makeup and special effects in 2013 in Orlando, Fl. Afterwards, I interned for an fx studio for 2 years in Atlanta, Ga. When I moved back to Texas, I worked for the Frankels Costume Company and then broke out into being a freelance artist. That was 9 years ago and I’ve been building myself up every year. I don’t believe in the term self-made man, I’m here not just because of myself but with the help of family, friend, fans, and clients.
I’m blessed that I get to work every day with something I’m passionate about. The journey isn’t always easy but because of it, I’ve been able to travel the world creating art and teaching. I’ve been to Cuba to perform a USO show of sort for our troops providing cirque makeup to acrobats, all the way to being part of a boy paint project for the United Nations in South Korea for the opening of the Korean War Museum.
Please tell us about your art.
That’s kind of a loaded question, but I wear a lot of hats to do what I do. I tell people I’m a body painter. but I’m also a costumer and fx artist. I’ll go ahead and just talk about bodypainting. Bodypainter, I paint people by using them as a human canvas. Which is a term a lot in my community use instead of referring to someone as a model they say canvas. I take the human form and use it in a variety of ways from creating a character, to using them to camouflage them into an art installation, down to making a person into a walking breathing mural to speak on a theme.
Why? That’s a great question. For the longest time, while I was finding my artistic self, I just thought it was cool, but as I matured I found out this… it’s about transformation I enjoy transforming people and watching the transformation happen. All of us change and aren’t the same person we were from one moment to the next. Of course, we don’t always get to see that change in an instant. But being able to see someone change before your eyes thru your art is amazing. I’m not talking about just change on the surface because of the paint. I’m talking about an inner change. I’ve worked with so many people that get painted their first time and well, they’re nervous or a bit insecure. But as the paint goes on and they look in the mirror thru each change, you see it in their eyes with a twinkle, a smirk that slowly turns into a grin than to laughter or awe. Inside someone that was unsure then gains some hint of confidence or a tweak in character. As the canvas make this piece of art their own, they bring it to life with their breath and their movements. It’s the coolest thing to watch.
Always create always change. People should take away from body paint that it is art, not some novelty that only appears on Halloween. It was the power to send messages that go beyond language and the power to change a person’s inner self.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Being a full-time artist can be a struggle financially for sure. I live from project to project at times. The best advice to other creatives is doesn’t just wear one hat be diverse and find all the ways that your skills can come useful in getting gigs you never would have thought of. Be smart with your money and live on half of what you make you never know when you’ll need for an emergency. Never sell yourself low, as an artist, be secure that you’re worth what you’re charging. As you grow, so will your value.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Well, I do a lot of public demos all over Houston. To keep hear announcements of those events or to see my work online, follow me on Instagram and YouTube by searching Rcc Creations.
There are several ways of supporting my work. The easiest would be to follow me on social media, Instagram and YouTube. Being sure to follow and subscribe. Engaging with posts of work to tell me what they think. Sharing my work is helpful as well. This industry is a lot of visuals and word of mouth
The other way of supporting my work would be to follow me on Patreon as I will launch at the end of this year. This will allow fans and lovers of the arts to contribute to the creation of more amazing projects throughout the year. Links to patreon will found on Rcccreations in Instagram and YouTube.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Rcccreations.com
- Phone: 404-932-7603
- Email: Rcccreatons@gmail.com
- Instagram: Rcccreations
- Facebook: Rccreations
- Twitter: Rccreations
- Other: Youtube: Rcccreations
Image Credit:
Ratchet & Clank Shoot Photo: Naoto Nakamura, Model Masha Models, Pink Tribal Photo: MDR Foto, Model: Melly Fong, Master Miku Photo: Senpai Studios, Model: Courtland Jonhson, Green Mech Photo: Naoto Nakamra, Model: Valerie Parker, Kawaii Monster Blue Photo Phil Brown, Model: Masha Models, Phoenix Photo: Brian Vogel, Model Paige, Red Demon, Model Zoe Freedkin, Photo Rcc Creations
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
