About Paul Rubio
Born in San Jose , California on December 7th, 1960 shortly after sunrise, Paul shares a definite affinity to the Sun. His fiery yet gentle Spirit shows up in his clay and mixed media creations, as well as in his ceremonial offerings.
“Being creative is in a way like being with the spirit of our creator; spirituality in its essence”.
He grew up in the semi-rural setting of North East San Jose, running through the fields, orchards and creeks with his three younger brothers.
In his early twenties, he married and had two amazing daughters who continue to enrich his life with their presence, love and as well as with one grandson. “Our children, grandchildren, future generations, give me the inspiration to share the message that we must take better care of our divine feminine earth mother; she gives us everything”.
Paul’s introduction to clay and creative ceramics started in the late 80’s as he studied at San Jose City College with Jim Wayne. Paul’s clay artworks have a definite Native American influence, although he grew up without knowing much about his indigenous culture.
In the early 90s, his dreams and life circumstances compelled him to reconnect with his indigenous culture in Tucson Arizona with the Yaqui or Yoeme people. This reconnection to his ancestral past was the catalyst for an epic and transformational journey.
His journey into Lakota territory and the Sundance ceremony forever influenced his life and way of being. Throughout the years Paul has worked with the American Indian Alliance on projects like the Native American Holocaust. He also ran with the 500 Mile runners with the American Indian movement.
Paul also worked with the Amah Mutsun and Chairman Val Lopez to have the Amah Mutsun tribal band legally recognized as the original inhabitants of the Santa Cruz area by the Santa Cruz city council.
“I’m not an activist, but I’m activated.”
Paul now lives in the Santa Cruz mountains of Soquel making drums, ceramic artwork, and facilitating sweat lodge purification ceremonies.