Meet Regan Cruz of Regan Cruz Art in Fort Worth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Regan Cruz.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Regan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a small town in the Panhandle of Texas, and being creative was my outlet, whether it was speech, theater, or art. It also didn’t hurt that my art teacher was a close family friend. Through her, I got to explore so many mediums and styles.

Fast-forward 20 years, and I was craving that creative outlet after being in graduate school since 2002. I had dabbled in sewing, embroidery, and knitting, but never stuck with one hobby for too long before moving on to another. I finally finished my Ph.D. and decided I would take up art again. I had recently helped my parents unpack from moving and rediscovered all my old art supplies and portfolios. My set of watercolors was still almost brand-new, so I decided to start there.

I took an extended education class in watercolor at TCU and, combining my previous knowledge with what I learned there, I decided to jump in head first to creating my own original pieces. Little did I know that my continuing play with watercolor would be so popular with my friends. No sooner had I painted a couple of pieces when a friend contacted me to purchase them.

That’s when I decided I should try to make a little business out of my hobby. Even to this day, I’ve sold mostly to friends and acquaintances, but I’m looking to branch out!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This whole endeavor has been a learning experience–from finding which materials work for me to figuring out where to get prints made. I’ve relied a lot on fellow artist friends to help me along the way.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Regan Cruz Art is my watercolor painting business. I specialize in all sorts of fun designs. Some of my most popular paintings are my Texas galaxy paintings, made to look like outer space. I’ve also had great success with my custom “Hearts United” paintings in which I link one or more states or countries with hearts over the cities people are from.

I did one Texas to Australia painting for a newly-wed couple and one Texas to Alabama for a girl headed from Ft. Worth to Auburn for college. In addition to original and custom paintings, I also make prints of some of my work, my TCU and sci-fi series specifically, as well as notecards and stickers.

I am proud to donate all proceeds from my Yellow Rose of Texas notecards to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the name of my niece, Ellie, who has CF. Cystic Fibrosis research is fully funded by the CF Foundation and does not receive any funding for the federal government. This means that every cent donated goes directly to research that impacts the lives of cystic fibrosis patients and has led to many advances in treatment that have greatly increased their life expectancy.

What were you like growing up?
I was a shy, silly kid growing up. I loved to read, listen to New Kids on the Block and my parents’ old records, and play with my cats. I was always creating even back then–drawing, writing stories, playacting in front of my fireplace.

Pricing:

• 4×6 original paintings start at $20; 5×7 originals start at $30; 8×10 originals start at $40
• Notecards (with envelopes) are $5 for 1, $20 for 5, and $35 for 10. For quantities greater than 10, contact me for pricing.
• 5×7 high-quality giclee art prints are $20

Contact Info:

• Email: regancruzart@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regancruzart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regancruzart
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ReganCruzArt

Image Credit:
Tucker Ink

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