Pedro de la Cruz
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About Pedro de la Cruz

The art of Pedro de la Cruz reflects a deep cultural mosaic which began with his parents who were born in two very different parts of Mexico -- Sonora and Jalisco.  Born in Baja California, Pedro remembers selling popsicles in the streets to get by. Still, Pedro remembers being the best at drawing in his class throughout his early school years -- and that art was a sanctuary especially during tough times. In the 1980s, the de la Cruz’s moved to the United States and settled in Santa Barbara.

As he became fluent in English, even as an introvert, Pedro found that art was the best way for him to communicate, be accepted by others and open doors to opportunity. Mentored and encouraged by several art teachers at Santa Barbara High School, Pedro continued to excel at learning color and design; as well as architectural drafting, at Santa Barbara City College. His uncle commissioned his first piece while still in high school and this belief and support in him kept Pedro painting and drawing through college and beyond.


Influences

Pedro de la Cruz’s influences have been both local and traditional.  The recently deceased artist Ernesto Seco from Ventura, California was a tremendous influence and a strong motivation to Pedro for continuing his craft.  Primarily a strong colorist with post-modernist and cubist tendencies,  he admires Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Amadeo Modigliani, Frida Khalo, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Galleries, Venues & Press


Galleries:

Contemporary Art Forum, (MCA) Santa Barbara California

Accolades Gallery. Ventura California

Artist's Union Gallery. Ventura California

California & Main Gallery. Ventura California

The BuenaVentura Gallery. Ventura California - Solo Show

Gallery 1880. Ventura, California - Solo Show

Santa Paula Art Museum. Santa Paula, California

Padre Serra Parish, Camarillo. Street painting

iMadonnari Santa Barbara. Italian street painting 2016 & 2018



Divine Inspiration Gallery, Santa Barbara, California - Solo Show


Distinctive Art Gallery, Santa Barbara, California - Group Show.


SBCAST, Santa Barbara, California - Group Show.


Venues:


Art at the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

Plum Goods. Santa Barbara, California

Salon U Gallery. Santa Barbara, California

Casa Magazine. Santa Barbara, California


Tiki Girl. Ventura, California

Ciao Bella. Ventura, California

Crown Plaza Hotel. Ventura, California

Jerold Thomas Salon. Ventura, California



Press:

Tinta Latina Magazine

Casa Magazine feature:
https://issuu.com/casamagazine/docs/12.25.15.casa?e=6215299/32169345

Art in America Magazine

VC Reporter

The Independent

Santa Barbara Magazine on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/p/BBwkVVzJW37/

Blog:
www.littlewordstudio.com
http://littlewordstudio.com/2016/02/18/his-muse/

​Santa Barbara News Press. March 2018.

805Living. May 2018.
805 Living Magazine

Pedro De La Cruz is the designer of the original #Montecitostrong logo 2018.

Wanting to inspire his community after the horrible mudslides which occurred
in Montecito, California on January 9th, 2018, he created this drawing.  
​
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please do not use without permission. thank you!
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