It’s time to shine a warm spotlight on one of our dearest artists. Vanessa’s heart, history, and undeniable talent have been woven into Rubio Arts for decades.

Vanessa began her artistic journey with us in November 1999. For 22 years, she brought guests’ personalities to life with pastels on canvas. She also spent a full year painting parasols. It wasn’t until 2015 that silhouette artistry became part of her repertoire. For the past 3 years, it has been her full-time calling—one she embraces with equal parts dedication, humility, and joy.

One of her favorite pieces to cut? Silhouettes of siblings. It’s a sweet nod to her own life. Her mother still treasures a silhouette of Vanessa and her sister, displayed side-by-side. When she creates silhouettes for families today, she feels like she’s passing on a piece of that same nostalgia.

Vanessa also welcomes the challenge of silhouettes that stretch the imagination. They can be tricky, she admits, but to her, that’s part of the fun. In recent weeks, she has cut some of the most delightfully unconventional requests. These requests include everything from a ferret and a chicken to a hamster, each one requiring a unique artistic approach. She even created a silhouette of a dog proudly sporting a cowboy hat, as well as a gentleman with a clown nose, which she captured with equal parts humor and finesse.

Additionally, each holiday season, she creates exclusive scene silhouettes, pairing classic cut profiles with hand-drawn accents. These limited-time designs have become guest favorites, adding a bit of seasonal magic to the timeless charm of silhouette art.

Though, at her core, Vanessa is motivated by something beautifully simple.

“I enjoy doing the best job I can and making guests happy. I know it sounds cheesy. I just really want guests to love their silhouettes.”

And that’s exactly what makes her so special. Her work isn’t just skillful. It’s sincere. Every silhouette is a tiny act of love, crafted by an artist who cares deeply about the artwork she’s giving to families.

You can find Vanessa and the rest of our silhouette team exclusively on Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom.