He began drawing at an early age, developing his artistic skills at Olhao Industrial School. He painted his first oil on canvas at age 14, and now continues in oil, watercolors, pencil, and India ink. His works are featured in many private collections.
Rui earned a Fine Arts degree at the University Faculdade de Belas Artes de Lisboa (Lisbon), and is pursuing A PhD at the same school. During his Fine Arts degree, he also studied ceramics and engraving. His works are found in many collections. Addionally, he is a founding member and president of Grupo U, an association for art and culture.
He was introduced to scrimshaw during the early 1980s while living in Horta, Azores. He produced scrimwork for Peter’s Museum, where many of his pieces can be found, as well as in the Flores Island Museum. He is recognized as a Master Scrimshander of the Azores islands.
