2-Time Joliet Cancer Survivor Becomes Sizzling Artist

JOLIET, IL - If you've dined inside the new MyGrain Brewing Company at Joliet's historic Union Station, you may have noticed several paintings displayed on the walls. It's the work of Ruben Calderon. On Friday, June 8, the Joliet Chamber hosts its popular New Orleans North festival. The artist commissioned to produce artwork for the festival? Ruben Calderon.

He's a Joliet native who has successfully beaten back cancer twice, first at 12 and again at 23. Nowadays, Calderon is 30.

Calderon does not take success for granted.

"I am a two-time cancer survivor," he proclaimed.

In March, he posted his story on social media, reflecting on his trials and tribulations facing cancer.
"I discovered the magical effects of art while sitting in a hospital bed connected to an IV during my second round of being diagnosed with cancer," Calderon writes. "My first time was when I was only 12 years old ... It was on that hospital bed with a canvas and paints that my family brought to me, when I felt the magic of each brush stroke. It took me into a state of tranquility and pure bliss, like a shield from the treatments and emotional struggle I was dealing with."

Last fall, he accomplished a dream, opening his own art studio, Art of Breath Galeria. He's across from the downtown Joliet Public Library branch, a couple storefronts away from the Joliet Route 66 Diner. Calderon went to Joliet Central and Joliet Junior College.

As far as the city's arts community, "I feel like Joliet needs more color," Calderon told Joliet Patch during an interview Thursday afternoon at his studio, 34 W. Clinton St.

"I feel like I have to promote art in our city. I'm part of the art movement here in Joliet," Calderon said. "Being here, a lot of young artists show up here. I kind of direct them. I want to share my talents with others," Calderon said.

Calderon has a gift for creating paintings, sculptures and murals. He said he is particularly fond of architecture.

"I also do photography and family portraits and any type of commissioned (projects) really," he said.

Calderon also specializes in graphics art. He designed some of the craft beer cans for MyGrain Brewing Company, cans now being sold at several Joliet-area liquor stores.

Word is getting around about Calderon's downtown art studio.

Cornerstone Services in Joliet now works with Calderon to offer art classes to some of their clients. His art studio is open Monday through Friday and Saturdays and Sundays by appointment.

"It's a nice spot," Calderon said. "I love it. You have the casino right down the street."

Calderon told Patch he is glad he opened his art studio downtown.

"I am pretty excited about the future of downtown," Calderon said. "I work with Cornerstone. They bring three clients, and I teach them art therapy. It definitely helps improve their behavior and moods."

Since overcoming cancer, Calderon reflected, he has "two missions for my life. One was to open an art gallery and have a space to create, teach and display artwork, and the second is to take art supplies, sketch pads, paints, canvasses, etc. to hospitals and work with children going through what I went through."

Down the road, Calderon hopes to find more Joliet-area businesses willing to commission him to produce artwork. He also sees the new 10-story Will County Courthouse being built across from Joliet's City Hall as a tremendous asset for downtown's economic vitality.

"It's been a journey," Calderon said, "but I'm enjoying it, and I want to work with other businesses and in finding a way to get into the new courthouse, maybe some portraits for inside the courts."

To learn more about Calderon's artwork, check out his Instagram content.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor