Rui Vasconcelos

I’m a multidisciplinary visual artist working primarily in charcoal, scratchboard, and photography. My creative journey didn’t begin in a classroom or a studio—it started later in life, after years spent following a more conventional career path. For a long time, I admired art from a distance, not realizing that the impulse to create had been quietly waiting, just beneath the surface.

What began as an experiment with scratchboard quickly turned into something more—a form of expression that felt both new and deeply familiar. Without formal training, I allowed curiosity to lead the way. Scratchboard's precision, contrast, and tactile intensity opened a door, and from there, I began to explore other mediums like charcoal and photography, each one offering a different way to translate my vision of the world.

Much of my inspiration comes from the places I’ve traveled, the music that moves me, and an abiding connection to nature. Whether it's the intricate texture of a tree's bark, the quiet mystery of a shadowed landscape, or the raw emotion in a piece of music, I’m drawn to moments that feel both fleeting and eternal. My work is often a reflection of those moments—a way of holding onto what I can’t explain with words.

Art, for me, isn’t just about technique or aesthetics. It’s about presence, about seeing more deeply, and about honoring the things that stir the soul. Each piece is a part of that ongoing exploration.

Thank you for taking the time to view my work. I hope it speaks to something in you.