Chris DeRubeis

Chris DeRubeis creates art unlike anything else in the contemporary world. Born in 1978 in Santa Clarita, California, he showed early talent for drawing that his family nurtured, especially his grandfather, who worked with him on weekends to develop his skills. At age 13, DeRubeis received his first airbrush from his grandfather, who predicted the young artist would fulfill dreams he himself had never realized. By 16, DeRubeis was already earning money airbrushing shirts at Six Flags Theme Park, and at 17 he managed the entire operation.
After graduating in 1996, DeRubeis attended the Pasadena Art Center and the Associates in Art School in Sherman Oaks, California, supporting himself by painting custom motorcycles. While grinding paint off a motorcycle gas tank one day, he discovered something remarkable: the exposed metal created intricate patterns that reflected light in captivating ways. This sparked years of experimentation in his parents’ garage, where he combined chemicals, pigments, and fire to develop his signature technique, which he trademarked as Abstract Sensualism®.
DeRubeis works on metal surfaces ranging from aircraft aluminum to precious metals like silver, gold, brass, and copper, subjecting them to flash freezing and intense flames to create unique textures. Because his chemical reactions produce different results each time, every piece is an original—he cannot create limited editions. His innovative work is represented by Park West Gallery and collected worldwide.