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

Mariana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was eleven, I created my first complete stop-motion video. After I finished it, the video deleted itself from the app I was using. With tears in my eyes, I decided to recreate it all over again. That moment marked the beginning of my passion for creative work.

From then on, my interest in photography and videography grew. As a teenager, I learned how to use various tools and cameras, leading me to create numerous visual projects. My passion was so strong that I couldn’t see myself pursuing anything other than visual arts.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a creative director and multimedia artist born and raised in Colombia. I left at a young age to pursue my studies in film abroad, an experience that exposed me to diverse cultures and people. This taught me adaptability and empathy, shaping my worldview in profound ways.

After my studies, I moved to Los Angeles, where I have worked on various projects such as music videos, commercials, and animations. Along the way, I have built many connections and friendships in the industry that feel like family to me.

My focus is on creating and telling stories through different digital mediums, including video production, photography, animation, and design. My intention is to convey messages that touch hearts, brighten days, and provoke deep thought. The most exciting part of my work is connecting with others through my art and evoking genuine human emotions that resonate deeply.

My objective is to be part of the change, to contribute to the new generations that motivate the world to be a better place. I am particularly drawn to creating content that not only entertains, but also educates and inspires. Additionally, I am passionate about promoting sustainability within the creative industry, using my platform to highlight social issues and advocate for meaningful solutions.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’ve always had a very clear goal in my life: to help people. This goal has shaped my values, decisions, and the path I have chosen to follow. I feel very strongly about the social and environmental issues happening in this world. The degradation of our environment, the inequality among people, and the persistent social injustices all deeply concern me. It hurts to witness the pain we endure as humanity from division, conflict, war, and cruelty. The suffering caused by these issues is profound, and it motivates me to seek ways to alleviate it.

I want to reach people with my work to inspire them and hopefully make their lives at least a little better. Whether through my words, actions, or creations, I aim to make a positive impact. I aim to create a mark in people’s lives, to bring them hope, and potentially make them feel different things. By sharing various perspectives, I hope to encourage understanding and empathy among people. My goal is not just to be heard, but to truly connect with others and help them see the world in a new light.

From my own experience, I’ve achieved significant personal growth from connecting with audiovisual arts. Engaging with music, film, and visual storytelling has broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of the human experience. These mediums have the power to move us, challenge us, and ultimately change us. I want people to be able to experience the same. I believe that through art, we can bridge gaps, heal wounds, and build a more compassionate world. My hope is that others will find inspiration and solace in the arts, just as I have, and that this will contribute to their own journeys of personal and collective growth.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Being a creative is a challenging and demanding industry. It requires a lot of passion and resilience, as it often goes unrecognized by those who are not familiar with the field. From my experience in a professional environment, I’ve noticed that sometimes clients don’t fully appreciate the importance or relevance of our work, which can make it difficult to find jobs at times. This is often because they don’t really understand the amount of effort and dedication that goes into creating art.

To address this, I make it a point to explain the processes and value involved in making creative projects whenever there’s a misunderstanding. Most of the time, clients come to understand and respect my work more after learning about the intricacies involved.

As an artist, you put a piece of yourself into every project, making it a very personal endeavor compared to more objective and quantitative jobs. This personal investment can be hard for those inexperienced in the creative field to grasp, especially since the value of art isn’t always immediately tangible. Nonetheless, through clear communication and education, I’ve found that it’s possible to bridge this gap and gain the respect and understanding that our work deserves.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marianacruz.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marsphy/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-cruz-08aa6b262/