We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caren Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Caren, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is illustrating family portraits for my sister Catherine and her real estate clients. Working with my sister is particularly special to me, as she has been a constant source of support throughout my life. I love that we can combine our passions to bring joy to others. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work adds a meaningful touch to these families’ milestones as well as my sister’s accomplishments.

Discovering my artistic style has been a journey, but I’m thrilled that I get to share it through these family portraits. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity, as it has deepened my confidence in my craft. Seeing how happy the clients are when they receive the portrait I drew for them is incredibly fulfilling.

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

Hi there! I’m Caren Cruz. I grew up in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. in 2013. I run a small business called Art by CMB, where I sell handmade art products like stickers, prints, and button pins that are usually Filipino inspired and fan art. Although I’ve had this business for quite some time, it wasn’t until 2023 that I really dove into it. I began participating in local market events, which I’ve come to enjoy, and recently, I’ve been exploring more conventions.
My love for art started young. I remember in elementary school, my mom would buy me stickers and I would sell them to friends in school. It’s funny to think that my childhood hobby has evolved into my current business of selling stickers and other handmade art products!
With my art, I strive to incorporate my Filipino roots while also creating pieces that bring me joy. I appreciate when someone visits my booth and immediately recognizes and points out the artworks that reflect my Filipino heritage. I love seeing people get excited about my work; their smiles truly uplift and inspire me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is having a means to express my emotions without using words. Sometimes, I find it difficult to articulate how I feel through speech, so drawing becomes a valuable outlet. When I miss my family in the Philippines, I create artwork that helps me relive cherished memories with them. Similarly, when I become passionate about something that brings me joy, I capture that feeling through my drawings.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My audience on social media slowly grew after I showcased my work at my first market event. The turnout was impressive, with many attendees showing genuine interest and support for my art. I found that these in-person interactions were invaluable, giving me the chance to discuss my work face-to-face and direct people to my social media platforms. This personal connection seemed to encourage more people to follow and engage with my online presence.
Posting reels of my art-making process is also a huge factor in building my social media presence. It has allowed me to gain exposure from people all around the world. But here’s another thing that really helped: my partner and my friends sharing my stuff on their social media. It was like word-of-mouth, but online. Their friends would see my work, and some would start following my art page too. It’s amazing how that ripple effect works. I’m truly grateful for my friends and everyone who takes the time to share my work, especially my partner who has been very supportive and has given me so much confidence throughout this journey. It really means a lot!
For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, take the leap, share your passions, and don’t give up. Building a social media following takes time and everyone has to start somewhere. This may be tough, but do your best to ignore the inner critic. Your work has value and it deserves to be shown to the world. You never know who you’ll inspire.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cmb-studio.weebly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbycmb/

Image Credits

Christina Somphone
Charles Cortez
James Diaz