We were lucky to catch up with Bry Cruz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bry, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

To be honest, I am not trained in art or art history. However, I have always been in love with creating and observing art. I remember when I was little my dad would let me draw tattoos on his back. They were just squiggles to my dad, but I saw otherwise. My interests peak as I entered my teens and I would take every art class available to me. Photography, sculpture, anything that would allow me to create. As I got older, life got in the way and I didn’t truly return to my love of painting till a few years ago. Pre pandemic is was doing abstract art in the vein of Pollock, one of my favorite artists. It wasn’t till lockdown that I really fell back in love the the squiggle patterns I use to draw on my dad. I began using a single line to draw a chain of abstract faces. I think in that time of reflection, I was able to channel my grief and depression into these faces that felt like little self portraits.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an abstract artist that began making art professionally a few years ago. I started to promote my work online, and through art fairs and shows, which allowed me to start getting some traction. Along with painting originals, I create prints, and t-shirts of my work. You can find me at the various flea markets around Los Angeles. The thought of being able to share my work across the city has been fulfilling. My goal is to make a living doing what I am passionate about.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I remember when I had to put art on the back burner. Life was doing its thing and getting in the way. Bills needed to be paid, so that meant I couldn’t do the shows I wanted to because I didn’t have the extra money that a lot of these shows require to participate. So I had to say to myself that it was ok to take a pause, do what I needed to do in this moment and then we could come back to creating. I think a lot of us fear that if we take a breather, then we failed. Don’t do that to yourself. I am thankful for be able to pivot mentally, which allowed me to really grow into the artist and business I am today.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

One thing I really want for the future is a healthy view of mental health and disorders. Most of my work revolves around my journey through grief, depression, and anxiety. I lost my mother to cancer in 2019, and I turned to my art to process all those feelings swirling around in my head. I feel tremendously fulfilled when I am able to have great discussions with a person that saw a piece and felt the ability to be vulnerable and share their story with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @artxbry