Rudy Gutierrez is an American artist and illustrator of Puerto Rican heritage, known for his emotionally rich, abstract work that blends indigenous, urban, and musical influences. Born in the Bronx and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, Gutierrez earned his BFA in Illustration from Pratt Institute, where he has taught since 1990. His art—described as “Wall Medicine”—has appeared in books, periodicals like Rolling Stone and The New York Times, and on iconic album covers, including Santana’s Shaman and the Jimi Hendrix Forever Stamp. Gutierrez has received numerous honors, including the Dean Cornwell Recognition Award, a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, and a Caldecott Honor for Double Bass Blues. His children’s book illustrations have earned multiple accolades such as the Pura Belpré Honor and the Sibert Award. His work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including the Norman Rockwell Museum, the United Nations, and Documenta Kassel in Germany. He has lectured across the U.S. and abroad, and participated in the 2008 and 2024 ICON Illustration Conferences. Gutierrez is married to musician and writer DK Dyson, and aims for his art to “uplift and inspire the viewer to understand their own validity and divinity.”
Art credit: Rudy Gutierrez, Shaman (album cover for Santana),
Arista Records, 2002. Acrylic and mixed media on board.