Gonzalo Ruiz Navarro is a native of Spain. His interest in painting began at an early age inspired by the rich heritage left in his country by great masters such as Diego Velázquez or Joaquín Sorolla. He started his formal education pursuing a Master's in Fine Arts from the University of Valencia. This was followed by studies on Drawing and Painting at the University of Toledo, the University of Alcalá de Henares, the College of Doctors and Graduates in Madrid and the Taller del Prado Academy in Madrid. Later, Gonzalo had the privilege of working under the personal instruction of noted Spanish  portraitist Carlos Moreu Spa and also studied figure painting at the Academy of Art and Contemporaneous Artists in Madrid, under the direction of the world-renown Chilean artist Guillermo Muñoz Vera.

Gonzalo has shown his works in numerous exhibitions and won several awards.  During his time in Spain, he exhibited in galleries throughout the country. After moving to USA, he had several solo exhibitions in Washington, DC and Maryland. He has participated in collective exhibitions in DC , Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Massachusetts. He has been selected in juried exhibitions and has been awarded with: the Teacher Award in the Yellow Barn Studio Drawing Show (2017) in Glen Echo, Maryland; the First Prize in the 23 APACC TYRIUS Art Competition (2007) in Valencia, Spain; the First Prize in the Painting Competition of Aranjuez (2001), Spain; the Second Prize in the Painting Competition of Aranjuez (2000). Hi has been also finalist in: the Expressions Portrait Competition in Herdon, Virginia in 2011,2012 and 2017; the Raymarart 5th Annual Fine Art Competition, online (2011), the Painting National Competition "Castillo de San Fernando" Castilla la-Mancha, Spain (2005): The Art National Competition "Jose Camaron" (2005) Valencia, Spain.

Alongside his career as a painter, Gonzalo has more than 25 years of teaching experience and has held management positions at several educational institutions.