Roy Cruz of City of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Roy Cruz and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Roy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Make coffee, while the coffee is brewing I read the book I’m currently reading for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes my coffee would have reached it’s ideal temperature. As I sip my coffee, I look at the drawings, finished or unfinished that I did the night before. Morning is when I edit, change, add, modify projects I am working on. I draw for another hour, then head to the gym.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a full-time creative. I am a visual artist, actor and writer. I am primarily busy with my visual arts practice. I do more drawings than paintings and paper art. My works are not in any gallery but you can see them if you visit Larchmont Village on Sundays. I am a street vendor, I set up a table and panels and display my artworks. I call it my pop up gallery on the street. It’s so hard to get noticed by any gallery. Why not sell on the street? It’s like having a weekly gallery visit for me. The best part is when people pass by and look at my art, the word that I always hear when they describe my pieces, they all say,”your art is so joyful.” I am happiest every time i hear that description about my art. Even though sometimes I don’t sell, hearing them say it’s joyful, I feel really flattered because they pointed out something about my art that I never planned or never thought of. When I start a project I don’t think that I have to make it happy or joyful. One thing I can say, when I’m drawing I’m always in a good mood so maybe joy comes out of that. It would be nice though that after they tell me it’s “joyful” maybe they could follow up with “I’d like to buy it.” LOL! But the fact that you made person recognize joy, I feel rewarded as an artist. You could see me at Larchmont Village every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. I have pieces for everyone and I promise you they are all happy art.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
The late actor Taylor Negron – it wasn’t really about work, but he taught me a lot about being an artist, an actor and a writer.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Take your time, don’t rush. Find the joy in every thing that I learn.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My memoir

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
In the evening around starting at 9 pm until 11 pm, the witching hours. I am calm, and only noise is music different genres that’s the time window where the muse visits me and keeps me company while I draw or plan an artwork.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://roycruzart.com
• Instagram: roycruzart

Image Credits
4th and 5th Picture by – me in the hat and the artworks – Photo Credits by Ted Soqui

6th, 7th, and 8th pictures by – me in black shirt in the studio – Photo Credits by Josh Tolentino