Meet Erica Cruz

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

Erica, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

It’s an unspoken responsibility and a superpower when you are the only one in the room that looks like you. As a first-generation Filipina full-time artist, I know I’m paving the way for young Filipino creatives to go after their dreams. It’s my responsibility that I take with pride to show them it’s possible. It’s possible to be an artist, to be an entrepreneur, to be a creative. I’ve learned to be successful by doing a lot of inner-work to break generational cycles and trauma responses that are ingrained in us at a young age because they show up later in life, especially in your business. Doing the inner-work means healing from perfectionism, scarcity hustle mindset, and redefining work/life balance and what success means to you. As a first-generation Filipina, some of us have grown up with an idea that certain career paths lead you to success and stability. Being an artist is not one of them. Choosing this career path is breaking out of the mold and breaking the cycle.

I also believe that being the only one in the room that looks like you is a superpower. I came across this quote a few years ago and it’s something along the lines of “flowers don’t look at other flowers when they grow. They just bloom.” I love this quote because when you’re simply being you regardless of where you are in your career, where you came from, what your background is or how you grew up, if you are simply experiencing your own unique journey without comparison, you will blossom!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Any time someone asks me what I do I cheese ear to ear and confidently say, “I am a full-time artist!” If you’d ask me when I was younger, or even a couple years ago if I ever thought I’d see myself pursuing my passion for art as my career, I’d be surprised at first, but definitely not shocked. My creative bone has always been in me, but diving fully into my small business, Cruz Creations, has been 4 years in the making. Like most of us during the pandemic, we started to pick up things to pass our time at home and for me it was picking up my paintbrush and painting again. Afternoon sketches I shared on my Instagram turned to my first small painting commissions for friends. And as I started to create again in different mediums like watercolor painting, jewelry making, and abstract paint pour painting, my business, Cruz Creations, started to grow as well. In 2022, I got laid off from my corporate job as a marketing manager for Paramount. This experience was a shock for me, but at the same time, it felt like divine timing and was the sign I needed to commit to being a full-time artist! Over the last two years, I feel more connected with Little Erica than ever. The older I get, the more I think of her and how she’s watching me and she’s proud of the life I’ve created for myself because I worked hard and earned where I am as a person, an artist, and a creative.

I define myself as “an artist with many seasons” and my brand is called “Cruz Creations” because I am not bound to any one particular art style or medium! I create from the place of joy and curiosity in whatever art style that peaks my excitement in that season. At the moment, ceramics is what I’m most excited to share. I learned how to throw on the wheel around the same time I got laid off and since then I’ve had many ceramic collection launches, sold at in-person markets, and currently, I teach hand-building pottery workshops all around LA!

I find purpose while I’m teaching these pottery workshops. I know it’s my soul’s mission on this earth to not just make art but also teach it and experience the joy of sharing art with others. In my classes, I’m not teaching you to be the best artist, but rather remind you of the inner-artist that’s alive in all of us. That doesn’t go away. We sometimes forget it’s there, especially when we’re older, and we sometimes refuse to believe that we are creative. And my goal in these classes is to bring out the inner-artist no matter what you create with that ball of clay. Most of the time the same people that say “I don’t have an artistic bone in my body” are the same ones that create a beautiful masterpiece. Those moments of awe and excitement and surprise is how I find purpose. The way their face lights up when they’re surprised that they were able to make something with their hands is pure magic, it’s priceless. I’m always hosting these workshops all around LA and you can join an upcoming class by following my Instagram, @artbycruzcreations or checking on my website artbycruzcreations.com!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey and are my pillars of building myself as an artist are: be your most authentic self, invest in yourself and your craft, and give yourself breaks.

I develop my confidence by being my most authentic self through and through. Especially on this journey as a full-time artist, everything I create is from a place of joy and curiosity. I’ll never claim to be an expert when I teach my classes and I’ll never claim to be the best ceramicist or best painter. What I do know is I fully give myself, Erica, in everything I create. You aren’t just getting a painting, you’re getting the artist behind the painting. You’re not just getting a 2-hour pottery workshop, you’re getting the teacher behind the workshop. I remind myself that I am invaluable and my energy and love I pour into these creations and experiences are my authentic self.

Investing in yourself can look like different things, especially when it comes to your business. For me, that journey began with investing in business coaching, which not only provided invaluable insights into growing my business but also served as a way to connect with the spirit of my business. It was an opportunity to do the inner work, to heal a lot of the wounds and limiting beliefs that had appeared in my business over time. This coaching allowed me to address the emotional and mental aspects of running a business, helping me to move forward with a clearer mindset and stronger foundation. Alongside that, I made the decision to take a variety of pottery classes to elevate my ceramic skills. These classes allowed me to push the boundaries of my craft, experiment with new techniques, and refine my style, which directly impacted the quality and uniqueness of my work. Whether it’s through professional development, learning new skills, or enhancing your expertise, investing in yourself is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make for your business and personal growth.

I keep my creativity alive by taking breaks and by trying new things. Taking breaks is so important and it’s also one of the main ways I keep myself from burning out. It’s definitely easier said than done but when you step away from your work and pour your energy in different parts in your life, that’s when you’re able to stay creative and inspired. I always lean on doing things that I love outside of art to reconnect with myself. I love to snowboard and skate. These are the times that I feel the most present and at peace away from my art and I’m able to really recharge. Taking breaks and filling your cup in other parts of your life is so important as an artist. Your creativity will flow more freely when you’re well-rested and nourished. Developing a balance between work and rest is vital for long-term growth and inspiration.

Invest in yourself, embrace the journey, and trust that by staying authentic and giving your all, you’ll continue to grow as both an artist and a business owner.

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

Healing from the scarcity hustle mentality is my greatest achievement in the past 12 months. This transformation began with investing in myself—through business coaching and doing the inner work. When I first started as a full-time artist, I quickly learned that every business problem ultimately boils down to a personal problem. And every personal problem often traces back to beliefs we were taught or conditioned to accept from a young age. We’re taught that we must work hard first and enjoy later, and that no matter how much we work, it’s never enough.
In the early days, I had no work-life balance. My energy was constantly pulled towards my art, and even when I was with friends, I found myself thinking about the next project or task I had to tackle. At the time, I was doing well—plenty of commissions, launching pottery collections—but I was teetering on the edge of burnout. There was an underlying fear that I wasn’t doing enough, that I needed to be in “all gas, no breaks” mode because now I was working for myself. I felt a need to prove to myself that I could succeed as a full-time artist.
The truth is, that’s a mindset we’re taught in hustle culture—one that tells us if we’re not constantly pushing, we’re not doing enough. And if we don’t acknowledge burnout before it hits, it’s inevitable.
Through this journey, I learned to heal from the hustle. I learned to embrace the present, take breaks, and step away from my art. Rest is still progress. I learned that when I align myself with the frequency of abundance, that energy will flow into my life. Everything I need is already within me, and I no longer feel the need to search or work tirelessly. The truth is, I’m already living the dream I once envisioned.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artbycruzcreations.com

Image Credits

Caitlin Varquez