To all Ships at Sea, Friends, Family and Art Lovers:

Hello! My name is Jocelyn Cruz. I'm a Mixed Media Artist based in San Jose and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Welcome to my website. I'm glad you're here. This site is where I share photos of my artwork, studio, journey, adventures, inspirations and favorite things. Becoming a professional artist is my life's dream. I invite you to join me on this dream and journey.

HOW TO SUPPORT MY WORK and Help Keep My Dream Thrive:
1. Purchase my artwork or refer me for commission projects - please visit my website often, and share this link with your friends: www.LighthouseArtDesign.com
2. Share/Repost my work with proper credit
3. Tell art lovers, interior designers, galleries, book authors/publishers, film companies (for movie posters), corporate clients, & others to support my work. For more information about my art commission work process and to see examples, please click here.

Thank you so much for supporting and believing in my work.

I am a storyteller. When I approach a project, I do a ton of research, and contemplate the story, memories, emotions and sentiments that I want to convey. I want my work to be meaningful, and to start awareness -- whether the artwork is about honoring someone's loved one, a family's togetherness, special events, places, history, or a humanitarian cause... Art has the power to steer people toward the truth or to an individual's redemptive identity. 

As an artist specializing in mixed media, I tend to gravitate towards colors and textures which cultivate relaxing spaces and brings lighthearted moments. Mostly I use shades of blue to create a haven of serenity... blue smells of the coast and of breezy summer nights... it sounds like ocean waves. Sometimes, I also like to put in hues of orange because it's is so playful and it reminds me of sunsets. 

You may have noticed that most of my artwork resemble air mail envelopes, post cards or letters. This comes from my memories of my late father's letters when he migrated from the Philippines to the United States.I love adding history and nostalgia by incorporating airmail envelope borders, postal marks (I create my own when I need to put in specific dates and locations that are relevant to the history of my subject matter), and postage stamps on most of my art pieces.

Mixed media paintings often contain textured materials. My process begins as soon as I start doing the research and collecting artifacts. I layer my paintings with reclaimed objects. I enjoy recycling them into my artwork to help create interesting background and foreground, honor memories, and to add otherwise intriguing effects in the piece. Objects that I frequently use are: Recycled paper such as tissue paper, vintage newspapers, maps, letters, paper bags, postal marks, postage stamps, puzzles, music sheets, travel brochures, magazines, corrugated cardboard (start saving your Starbucks cup sleeves and boxes from Amazon), fabric, cheesecloth, netting, film strips, my DIY rusted nails and metal, rivets, and everything else to see what sticks -- except for my kitchen sink -- because sometimes, more is just more!!!  

My deep love of the Sea comes from my maritime roots.I was born and spent my early childhood in a coastal  town in the Philippines called Navotas, located north of Manila. It is dubbed as the "Fishing Capital of the Philippines" because the livelihood of many of its residences were derived directly or indirectly from fishing and its related industries. I was surrounded by shipyards, piers, open fish markets, salty air and smell of patis (fish sauce). The dinner menu always included fresh seafood from the day's catch.

My Tatay Peles (grandfather) made his living from the Pacific Ocean by building engines for ships. He also owned commercial fishing boats. I am fortunate to have inherited some of his shells from his collection. 

I  was always interested in designing from an early age watching my Nanay Gaya (grandmother) sew clothes on her old pedal Singer machine. My Tito Jessie (uncle) is currently devising a way to disassemble this sewing machine, so he can bring it to my studio. (I can't wait! :)

My  Nanay Cely (my mom who I often refer to as "Mac Gyver" for her resourceful ways)  and I frequently collaborate on various sewing projects. It usually goes like this: I "hoard" a bunch of fabric, have a vision of how I'd like my blue-striped curtains and table cloths to look like, and then ask Nanay Cely to sew it for me. She is much better at sewing than I am. I like to include fabric and stitches in my art  as a tribute to the beloved Nanays in my life. :)

My brothers, aunts and uncles are very creative as well. They are all true graphic design geniuses and illustrators in their own right. The typography in both traditional and digital form thatI incorporate into my artwork are due to their influence.