Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Cruz
Hi Tina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in both Topanga and on the Eastside, which were completely different environments. Looking back at my childhood, I realized that growing up, I paid a lot of attention to the way that structures and objects around me looked. I would compare the shapes and structures of the city with the shapes and structures of nature constantly as I moved between the two environments. I didn’t make the connection at the time, but I now know that that appreciation was the start of my interest in how things were designed.
I got lucky growing up around a lot of artists. Many adults around me had pursued careers as musicians, chefs and artist, so being a designer was a path I always knew was possible.
When I was in my last year of high school I took a painting class and I loved it. Without fail, I would always leave with paint all over my hands and clothes. What I learned about myself is that I get pretty messy when I am being creativity. The mess is a part of the process for me.
I initially enrolled at Otis College of Art and Design as an Architecture student. However, I quickly discovered that my passion lay in a more detailed exploration of homes—delving into the materials, particulars and unique components that transform a house into a cherished living space. This realization prompted me to transition to product design, where I could focus on the intricacies that make a house feel like a home.
During my last year at Otis I participated in the internship fair where I met Paige Cleveland, the owner of Rule of Three Studio. During our interviews, I was under the impression that it was a studio that designed textiles. I didn’t really grasp the fact that they also hand-marbled textiles themselves. To be honest I had no idea what marbling was at the time.
During my early years at Rule of Three, I gained so much knowledge about the interior design textile industry during my first few years at Rule of Three. Observing Paige, the owner and Emma, my co-worker, marbling was such an incredible experience that I was instantly drawn to. Despite expecting the novelty to fade after seeing it repeatedly, I remain in awe to this day.
After about two years, I started learning how to marble. Let me tell you, they made it look so easy! I was actually the first person they taught, so we were figuring out together what’s essential for becoming a marbler. I remember it almost feeing like I was in a dance class. I was watching every little thing they did. How they moved their feet, how they moved their wrist, and how much of the paint was going on the tank. Marbling, for me, hinges on muscle memory—the sensation of the brush with just the right amount of paint, and the steady pace required to ensure time doesn’t disrupt the delicate patterns.
Marbling is like entering a trance, crafting a unique one of a kind piece that’s impossible to re-create in the exact same way. As I dance with the paint and the tank, my tendency to be messy comes alive. When the marbling trance is over, I realize I have splattered about 30% of the paint all over my arms and legs – a beautiful and messy aftermath.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Any career path, no matter how rewarding, will eventually present challenges, but those challenges also bring necessary growth. By my fourth year at the company, I had become a seasoned marbler. Although I loved it, I started to worry that there wasn’t room to grow beyond this role and that my career had plateaued. When I first started at Rule of Three, my dream was to become a marbler, and I think many people experience that ‘what next?’ feeling when they’re lucky enough to achieve their dream. It was an important moment for me because it made me realize just how much knowledge I had gained about the textile industry over the years. Marbling had given me design skills that could be applied to many areas of the art world. I had been involved in developing and designing entire collections from start to finish, and because Rule of Three is such a small studio, I had the opportunity to engage in many other aspects of the business beyond design.
Despite these challenges, my path to becoming a marbler has been relatively natural and smooth. I am incredibly fortunate to have a boss and mentor who listens, values me as designer, and genuinely wants to see me grow. Paige has taught me so much and offered invaluable knowledge about art, business, and design. She now has this wonderful design studio, but she understands what it’s like to be a young designer finding your way. Having someone like her, who can see your potential even when you can’t, is incredibly powerful. This experience has given me the confidence to recognize when a design I create should be part of a main collection. It has also taught me to believe in my own ideas and potential, and that my art is worthy of being out in the world.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, I work for two textiles companies, Rule of Three Studio and Lake August. I am a Senior Designer and Studio Manager at Rule of Three Studio and a Studio Coordinator for Lake August. Both studios focus on creating wallpaper and fabric for interior design. Beyond my textile design career, I took up film photography during the pandemic and completely fell in love with it. Originally, I was taking photos as a personal hobby, but have recently begun creating calendars for my family and friends which has been super fun! One of the magical things about photography is capturing light in a way that freezes that point in time. When a photographer captures the perfect light, it has the ability to transport me into the moment the photo was taken. It’s like listening to a song you love, that always takes you back to a particular memory. It’s so fulfilling. I am constantly learning and I just simply love it.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
If someone wanted to connect they are welcome to email me at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ruleofthreestudio.com , https://lakeaugust.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinacoolfox/
