Cruz is a leading wood stain artists, creating masterful works on two and three dimensional premium wood substrates, one and a half hours north of Philadelphia PA. In this work there is a reverence for the tree. Cruz has coined this quality in her work as, "Wàsayū™”. Inspired by Japanese perspectives that contrast to the western view of beauty. 'Wàsayū' means, "profound grace in obscured transient beauty". Born in 1972 in the South Bronx, moved around the United States before settling in New Jersey
in 1996. At the age of six began drawing in a realist style. Innately drawn to tools and wood finishes, she began working 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 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, before moving to northern New Jersey. The following decade, working in a more illustrative style with mixed media.
Between 1996 and 2006 I found myself repeatedly buying earth-tone tubes of paint that I didn’t need. I could not explain this, nor the fact that since 1993 all of my mental visuals appeared to me in ‘Sepia’ tone.
Like many Americans, the aftermath of 9/11 brought economic hardship and change. A two-year experience was the catalyst in further exploration monochromatics, that had begun eight years earlier. She tapped into the relevance of how the pairing-down of things illuminates and stimulates connection. This powerful discovery fueled new work, rebuilding her life while continuing to paint.
In 2013, with a dedicated workspace, Cruz organically transitioned to wood stain, recognizing that this was the medium that had been calling since age ten. Pairing down a subject's colour would improve upon light, shadow and form. This birthed her development of original methods and techniques, GrainStain Arts®.
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.
Life has taught me the blessing of ‘non-attachment’. I remain open to creativity as a whole. My works on paper are very much part of the tree and art relationship. Creativity is meant to be boundless.
Cruz continues to work in her New Jersey studio along the Delaware river.
Curriculum Vitae Highlights
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Paier College of Art Inc - 1994
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
Traveling exhibition that gives testament to the amazing giving capacity
of the human spirit. Using art and narrative, it explores the unseen
rewards TO the volunteer.
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 of 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.
Paier College of Art Inc - 1994
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
Traveling exhibition that gives testament to the amazing giving capacity
of the human spirit. Using art and narrative, it explores the unseen
rewards TO the volunteer.
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 of 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.