Today we’d like to introduce you to Rene Cruz.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in South Texas, close to the border, close to the beach. When I wasn’t drawing my action figures, I was outside riding bikes, exploring ditches and breaking glass. I feel that video games killed a good portion of the generation’s creative outlet. Late 80s-early 90s was the beginning of the end. I’m so proud to say that I’m horrible at video games.
Please tell us about your art.
I draw. I love drawing, even when I’m sculpting and painting I’m secretly drawing in a sense. I try and finish what I’m working on in one sitting, sometimes it’s a bad idea, but I’m on to the next thought before it matters. That’s all drawing is, capturing a thought. I love the speed of it, it allows for accidents, which my work benefits from. This loose imperfect plain is where some of my best work comes from.
For the last years its been pen and ink for the most part. I use a computer now and then to stay young, but it’s definitely just another tool.
I like jokes, even if I’m the only one laughing, it’s never malicious or mean. I type this knowing humor is very relative. I like to play on words and connecting dots that might not necessarily need to be connected. Part of an overheard conversation, a misunderstanding, coincidence all these inserted into a visual setting has always been fascinating to me. Lately, all I have to do is read a few new articles and Im set for the day as far as subject matter goes. I’m also a big fan of blind contour drawings. I sit, and I’ll do one for way too long, but they really are fun to look at once you’re done. You make lines that you’d never think of drawing if you were paying attention. I’m such a fan of not knowing exactly what the drawing is going to look like.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Go ahead and sell out, make work that people want to hang in a kitchen or by a couch, but if you’re making work that nobody likes thats cool too. Don’t sweat it. I’m not really sure how to be successful at being an artist, from what I’ve seen it’s a hustle. Whatever you do, just be nice.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Instagram has become a drawing diary of sorts;
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/renecruz_draw/
I really don’t sell much work. I’m pretty lazy about that. I’m ok not selling stuff.
Contact Info:
- Website: renecruz.org
- Email: me@renecruz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/renecruz_draw/
Image Credit:
Rene Cruz
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