We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Efren Rebugio. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Efren below.
Efren , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I give credit to a few people in my life for my work ethic. First, is my father. He served in the Navy for 30 years. Joining in the Philippines at a young age, he worked his way from the rank of E-1, lowest for the enlisted, all the way up to Command Master Chief, the highest rank for the enlisted. After retiring from the Navy, he got his Master’s degree in accounting. He then went on to work as an accountant, which he does to this day, 22 years and counting. From my dad, I’ve learned the importance of hard work. And he told me something years ago that I still use when approaching mural work, which is, “You can never be too prepared.” Another person I’ve learned a lot from was a mentor I had in the music festival scene for over 10 year. Working with him, I learned how to give attention to details and how to work efficiently. I also learned how to continually push towards my highest potential in everything I do. He was someone that truly believed in me, before I believed in myself. And lastly, I give credit to several artists/friends that I have worked with throughout the years. Watching the way they work, whether it be preparing for a project, communicating with clients, or organizing their workspace, I learn so much from the artists in the community here in Austin.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a muralist, graphic designer and painter. I have been working as a muralist in Austin for over a decade. I create commission murals for corporate brands, offices and private homes. I love living and working in Austin. The art community here is very welcoming and there is so much opportunity. There is definitely a boom in the mural business and it’s great that clients hire artists for their styles; giving the artists the chance to express themselves and to make a living.
Through my work, it is my intention to intertwine the allure of nature with the mysticism of energy and vibrations via a mix of graffiti inspired elements and linework with vibrant colors and movement. The moniker, Everyday Research, is a play off of my initials. It also means that everyday is a day to learn, whether about ourselves, nature, the world, or whatever it is that can elevate the individual.
In addition to painting murals and canvases, I really enjoy painting live. Since 2010, I have traveled all around the country to paint live and create art installations at music festivals. A few notable festivals are Hulaween in Florida, Summer Camp in Illinois, Bonnaroo in Tennessee, and I’ve even painted at Envision in Costa Rica and Ultra in Seoul, South Korea. I feel live art is important and powerful. I like to compare it to music. Most people will experience art when it’s already painted and on a wall. It is like if people only experienced music just by pressing play and not going to a concert. Live painting brings that creative process to the people, opening minds and giving them a whole new experience.
I am currently working on building a body of work to have my first solo show. I plan to have the exhibition in 2024. The location is still TBD.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
There have been so many lessons along the way. Lessons that have helped me shape my creative process, that have influenced how I handle my business, and lessons that have impacted my technical skills. I believe the most important thing to do is to be open. Be open to other advice. Be open to the unknowns. Be open to discomfort. With that said, here are three areas of knowledge that I feel are important to develop early on and to continue practicing throughout my career: Pricing, Proactiveness, and Communication.
One of the biggest struggles I’ve found as an artist is coming up with a price for what we create. It took me about 7 years to finally realize that using a formula is best for me and the way my brain works. Everyone has their own approach, but using a per-square-foot formula for murals or a per-square-inch formula for canvases helps me have a base from where I can start. And after working for over a decade, I still make adjustments, per project, per piece.
The second area of knowledge I’d like to share is being proactive. Whether it’s reaching out to clients, applying for festivals and open calls, or saying ‘yes’ to that small low-budget project, being active, especially in the early days of my career, has led me to where I am today. I said yes to everything back in the day. I said yes to open paint jams with no pay, just to get more practice in. My mindset back then was, I just wanted to paint, not knowing that it was opportunity after opportunity for me to hone in my skill, network and learn lessons that would help my on gigs in the future. If I went traveling to an area in the country just to visit, I would do some research and see if there were art shows, walls to paint or events to check out, just to immerse myself in that world. When I would go paint at a music festival, I would get to know other artists, especially the ones with more experience than me. I would also make it a point to chat with the artist curator and/or event producer. Again, staying on brand, everyday was a day for me to learn.
And my third skill that has been the most impactful on my journey…..communication. It is definitely key. Being prompt and giving clients a quick response has been an advantage in landing gigs. Honesty with clients and speaking up for myself has helped me smooth out the process of working on projects and has also aided me in receiving bigger budgets. Side note: negotiating is very important, I’ve listened to podcasts to help me navigate that part of the business; as well as trial and error. Oh, writing contracts are also important. And doing taxes. All the things.
I am still learning. I am still improving. Working with people better and smarter than me has been the best way for me to step my game up.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I have managed my way through depression and anxiety. Something I was unable to recognize and evaluate, clearly, until i stopped drinking in January of 2019. And even since then, there have been many times when I have felt overwhelmed; in life, in work, in social interactions. In the past 5 years, I have implemented a regime of meditation and self-healing that has better prepared me for moments that feel too chaotic. A morning routine which I do regularly begins right when I wake up. As I feel myself begin to wake, I keep my eyes closed and say to myself (in my mind) that “I am grateful”, “Today is a great day”. Then I move my body to get the blood flowing. I sit up in bed, have a drink of water, then head straight to the shower to jump into cold water. The 5 – 10 seconds before jumping in, is a challenge, a mental exercise. It teaches me to not overthink and to just take action. Then I stay in the cold shower for about 2 minutes. During those 2 minutes, I go through mantras, that i feel uplift my state of mind and raise my vibrations. Simultaneously, I am doing breathing exercises to move through the cold. After my shower, I go through the regular bathroom activities. I then make myself a cup of MudWater (not a plug, but definitely a testimonial. I love the stuff. I kicked coffee and my stomach feels better and I don’t have the jitters. It’s a much more clearer alertness). Then I sit to meditate. I play some 432 Hz music, close my eyes and do 10 deep breaths. Only focusing on my breath. Then I bring my attention, to…..attention. I hear and feel everything going on around me. I’ve found when meditating, the key is not to zone everything out, but to be aware of everything that is. Being aware brings me into the present moment. Then I go through more mantras. Then I visualize what I want to accomplish in the day, in my work, in my relationships, in my life. After about 15 mins, I’m ready to move forward. I say all of this to say that this is my strategy to manage through moments that feel overwhelming. Finding a morning routine for yourself could be beneficial.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.everydayresearch.com
- Instagram: @everydayresearch
- Facebook: @everydayresearch
- Twitter: @evrydayresearch
- Youtube: Search for Everyday Research. I’m still working on a custom YouTube handle 🙂
- Other: Find me on Spotify: Efren Rebugio. Sharing music is one of the best ways we can love each other.
Image Credits
Impermanent Art Birdman Photos
