Born in A Coruña, Spain. Worked in an international bank in Spain and London until 1974. Studied at Goldsmith's College University of London (1974-1977) and later attended the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts (1980-1983). Taught in the Art Department at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill until 1993. Became involved in the creation of the European Ceramics Work Center (EKWC) in s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, serving as the Artistic Director from its opening in 1991 until 1999, when he began teaching at the School of Art Institute in Chicago. He has since lectured at numerous universities and international forums. Toubes states about the body of his work: "Although there is a purpose it is of the poetics and a matter of discovery and rediscovery as the work progresses. The surfaces, the skin are more like a place, a surprise through form, color, light, and material present and pulsating.