Art by Richard Rubio

Richard Rubio is an incarcerated artist in South Dakota whose original artwork reflects resilience, determination, and personal growth. He is a self-taught artist whose original artwork reflects resilience, determination, and personal growth. Every piece he creates is hand-drawn from his own imagination and experience—never copied or traced. While incarcerated, Richard has dedicated himself to self-improvement through education, personal development courses, and refining his artistic abilities. With aspirations of building a career as a tattoo artist upon release, Richard views art as both a creative outlet and a pathway to a better future. His work is driven by a desire to support his family, overcome adversity, and create meaningful opportunities beyond incarceration. Richard believes that growth comes through education, perseverance, and purpose. Through his artwork, he hopes to inspire others while proving that people are more than the worst mistake they have ever made.