Audio By Carbonatix
Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city’s creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year’s Best of Phoenix issue, we’re profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 56. Ruben Gonzales.
“I’m never not doing anything here,” says designer Ruben Gonzales of his busy days running 11th Monk3y Industries, which is also home to The Lab Pop-Up Gallery, on Grand Avenue.
From building bike racks to printing custom pieces for Valley businesses and working with walk-in customers, Gonzales, who’s 35, says sometimes his workdays stretch to 16 hours. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.
See also: Phoenix Artist Nathaniel Lewis: 100 Creatives
Currently, his to-do list includes potentially creating some pieces for Co+Hoots’ upcoming anniversary, building a few bike racks for shops around town, and working on something he’s never done before to submit to this year’s Chaos Theory show. “Either way I’m sure I’ll have my hands full this year building a new up-cycled fixture, show or not!”
I came to Phoenix with… well I’m actually a born native Arizonan from Tolleson, Arizona. I moved into downtown Phoenix though because I knew there was a hidden life out here that I wanted to discover, and so I packed my tools and bike and moved. I came to Phoenix because it has that feeling, that camaraderie for local support from friends, family, and small business relationships! I came to Phoenix to help be a part of that change, growth and to help people understand that Arizona is not all what they see on the news.
I make art because it helps my mind relax. It’s therapeutic, and it’s a great feeling of turning nothing into something. And if what I’m making helps to inspire you, then I’ve done my job.
I’m most productive when I’m stressed and tired… Ha. Typical I guess?! In all honestly, hmm, I really dont know, feels like I’m always knocking projects out. Guess I don’t think about it, I just do it. When you’re enjoying what you love to do as your career productivity, and time never really cross the mind. Just hit your deadlines though!
My inspiration wall is full of bike parts, steel scraps, wood, tools, paints, cutting blades, hammers, welding equipment, silk screens and T-shirts, a photo of the original space I help to create and start down on the row row, oh and a painting from a one of my friends from Tolleson, Jose “Love” Reyes. He’s a cool fella.
I’ve learned most from my mishaps, from my failures. I’ve learned the most from my grandfather, who told me to never quit and give up on what I’m doing just because it’s not working right now. He showed me that opening a shop/studio/retail store isn’t easy and shouldn’t be opened up just because you/I want to become wealthy, but because it is needed. A local shop should be open because it is going to help impact your surroundings and your city — hell, your state.
Good work should always be recognized and appreciated for what it is, even if you don’t like it, [that] doesn’t mean to bash it or disrespect it, just means it’s not your taste.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more creative big spaces. The scene needs to be SEEN and shared.
See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:
100. Bill Dambrova
99. Niki Blaker
98. Jeff Slim
97. Beth May
96. Doug Bell
95. Daniel Langhans
94. Nanibaa Beck
93. Nicole Royse
92. Ib Andersen
91. Casandra Hernandez
90. Chris Reed
89. Shelby Maticic
88. Olivia Timmons
87. Courtney Price
86. Travis Mills
85. Catrina Kahler
84. Angel Castro
83. Cole Reed
82. Lisa Albinger
81. Larry Madrigal
80. Julieta Felix
79. Lauren Strohacker
78. Levi Christiansen
77. Thomas Porter
76. Carrie Leigh Hobson
75. Cody Carpenter
74. Jon Jenkins
73. Aurelie Flores
72. Michelle Ponce
71. Devin Fleenor
70. Noelle Martinez
69. Bucky Miller
68. Liliana Gomez
67. Jake Friedman
66. Clarita Lulić
65. Randy Murray
64. Mo Neuharth
63. Jeremy Hamman
62. La Muñeca
61. Kevin Goldman
60. Emily Costello
59. Kerstin Dale
58. Vara Ayanna
57. Nathaniel Lewis
