Biography — D Nina Cruz - D Nina Cruz

D Nina Cruz was born in 1972 in the South Bronx and raised in Connecticut, Puerto Rico and Arizona. At the age of six began drawing in a realist style. Cruz was also innately drawn to tools and wood finishes, beginning to work with them at age ten. During her academic years Cruz continued to create and frequently earned awards in competition.

In 1994, Cruz put herself through school, graduating from Paier College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During this time, the first works that moved towards like-colours and hues began to emerge.

In 1996, Cruz settled in northern New Jersey. The following decade Cruz worked in a more illustrative style with mixed media.

In the aftermath of September 11 2001, Cruz was suddenly without employment, a roof of her own, or a vehicle. This two-year experience was the catalyst in further exploring the translation of like-colours that had begun eight years earlier. Cruz tapped into the relevance of how the pairing-down of things can contribute to clarity, focus and truth. This powerful discovery fueled new work. Cruz began rebuilding her life while continuing to paint.

In 2013, with a dedicated space to create, Cruz transitioned to wood stain, noticing that this medium simplified the palette from inception. Pairing down a subject's colour would allow for more study of light, shadow and form. This ushered the testing of different wood species with both oil and water based stains. Cruz developed an original method and technique, GrainStain Arts^®, which uses wood stain as a fine art medium on wood substrates.

In 2017, a solo exhibition with Cruz's signature approach was held at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem PA. Consisting of fourteen portraits, the show dealt with issues of community and the amazing giving capacity of the human spirit. It was featured on the front page of the areas local newspaper, an interview on NPR radio, and other publications.

Cruz continues to work in her New Jersey studio along the Delaware river. A new direction, and exciting series is currently unfolding.

Curriculum Vitae Highlights

2018 Group Show, “THAT - The Hunterdon Art Tour”,
           Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton NJ

2017 Solo Exhibition, “the new BLACK —VOLUNTEERISM”,
           ArtsQuest at SteelStacks, Bethlehem PA
           Pitch and presented project concept. Researched, developed and executed idea
           using art and narrative to bring awareness to community about the unseen
           rewards of volunteerism. Exhibition was free and open to the public.
           Project made local front page news and garnered an NPR interview.

2015 Solo Project. Habitat for Humanity, "First Light"
           Habitat of the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem PA
           Utilitarian table and fine art work. Reconstruction of a pocket door into a table.
           The bloom on the face is the flower 'from' the cactus painted on the underside.

2014 Group Show, “The Art of the Flower Exhibition”,
       Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia PA

2014 Group Show, “To Plaid or Not to Plaid”,
         The Gallery at St. John's, Easton PA

2014 Group Show*, “Member's Art Exhibition”,
         Artsbridge Group, Lambertville NJ

2007 Solo Exhibition, “The Open Door"
       Paula at Rigoletto, Weehawken NJ

1994 Group Show, “Alumni Show"
        Paier College of Art, Hamden CT

1992 Public Art Project. Collaborative.
          City of Meriden, Meriden CT
           Design and concept development of an 11’ wooden archway or an annual public
            community event. As well as life-size reproduction of wooden storybook
            characters for children’s reading area.

*The piece entered in this show was a monochromatic brown work. It sold within fifteen minutes of the show's opening.