Meet Mary Cruz

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mary Cruz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mary below.

Mary, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

Exploration! I feel there’s a pressure to fit into a certain mold or that your artstyle has to stay the same for the rest of your life, but pushing both is a one-way ticket to burn out. As I grow and change, so does my art. The more you explore different aspects and avenues of art, your creativity will flow with it,

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a freelance illustrator currently based in Portland, Maine. I do a mix of different mediums; traditional, digital, many times of both. I don’t like feeling confined to a single subject matter or art style, so I mix that up as well.

What’s exciting for me about it is being able to share my passion with other people, whether it’s online or in person.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Be open to learn from anywhere and anyone. I find that some artists that I’ve met in college were adamant in sticking to one thing and outright refusing to try something new.

2. Give yourself time. Whatever it is you’re working on, whether it’s art or something else. It isn’t going to get finished immediately, you aren’t going to get good overnight.

3. Cultivate community. Being around other people, especially those who engage in their passion inspires me to do the same. The mutual support- sharing resources and just enjoying each other’s company makes all the difference.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

For me it’s been expanding the space I do my art in. Just this year I’ve bounced from one studio space to another, and I’ve moved in my current studio just last month. Aside from studio space, I’ve also discovered and rediscovered places around the city where I can paint and draw. Finding more areas that can act as “third spaces” is really important not just for my art, but for myself as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adonyne.com
• Instagram: @adonyne
• Facebook: @adonyne
• Twitter: @adonyne
• Other: My carrd: https://adonyne.carrd.co

Image Credits

Image 1 & 2: Oliver Walker