Staring over the gold links he just molded, he positions the light closer to the object. Using skinny pliers, he positions the small, blue gem stone in place. He holds it at a distance as the stone shines bright against the light.

Raul Barbosa, arts major, is currently spending his time learning the process of jewelry fabrication. Recently enrolling in the arts program, Barbosa isn’t going to school for academic accolades, rather he said he is in it for the experience and the knowledge

“I want to learn all I can,” he said.

Barbosa, who said he was first encouraged by his peers to pursue his passion for art, enrolled in EC in the 1970s. His love for watercolor paintings, life drawings and sculpturing quickly became his main interest, he said.

“I always loved all different art work,” Barbosa said. “So I decided to take some classes after work.”

He continued to do this for many years while working full-time as an aircraft and engine mechanic for Continental Airlines.

Throughout the years, while going to school and working, he was also constructing a life-size 450-pound bronze bust of “Nefertiti”—the Egyptian Queen of the 14th century BC.

“I was truly inspired by Andrew Fagan, a teacher at the time, to complete the sculpture,” Barbosa said.

Taking him 13 years to sculpt his replica of “Nefertiti,” it was finally completed in 1976.

Barbosa’s recreation of “Nefertiti” was, at the time, the largest sculpture ever cast at EC and because of this, he said he continues to receive great recognition.

His replica of “Nefertiti” appeared in the Daily Breeze and was also featured on the broadcast network, KCAL.

Retiring from Continental Airlines in 2003, Barbosa once again became a student, enrolling in jewelry fabrication classes this time around.

“I decided to go back to school again because I wanted to be more productive and do things that I always wanted to do,” Barbosa said.

In his spare time, he continues to sculpt and is currently working on replicating a stage from the Creation of Man—a scene Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

“I like to make art work that you don’t see too often,” he said.

And in doing so, Barbosa said he likes to work with bronze among many different metals including gold and silver during the jewelry fabrication.

Recognized in many ways for his art work, Barbosa is also an inspiration to many students, Irene Mori, art professor, said.

He also lends a helping hand wherever he can, she added.

“Raul is a very dedicated and fascinating artist with a vision,” Mori said.

Barbosa said his art work has become a hobby and he works very hard to put everything he has into it. And rather than a profession, Barbosa said it is a past time hobby, which keeps him busy while pursuing his dreams.

“When people ask me why don’t I sell my work, I say I’m taking it with me,” he said.