Chad Cruz Talks Creative Environments, Continuous Learning, and Commercial Art
Welcome to “The Creative Wayfinder’s Compass,” a publication from M.K. Hancock focused on in-depth written interviews with creative minds across disciplines. The 11 Question Series has different artists answer the same deep dive questions. This interview is with Covington, KY based artist Chad Cruz.
Cruz started the Creative House of Art and Design in 2020, creating a space that serves as an art and creative gifts store with a secret bar in the back, and a cheerfully curated indoor and outdoor space for classes, crafting, socializing, and activities for different age ranges. In this interview, Cruz tackles the 11 questions to reflect on his pursuit of creating creative community.
“My creative process is kind of all over the place, so not only owning a store. I’m also an art teacher at three schools, so I would have to say my students inspire the store a lot.”
Chad Cruz
Who are you and what do you create?
My name is Chad Cruz and I create a lot of things but mostly an environment for people to stay creative in Covington. We offer classes for kids and adults. We have workshops, summer art camps, and we have designed thousands of earrings, along with fun art supplies and great gifts for all ages, here at our store, Creative House of Art & Design.
What first inspired you to pursue your creative path, and how has that inspiration evolved over time?
This journey was my creativity. I always wanted to have a place that people can feel welcome during Covid. It gave me the perfect opportunity to start the business of my dreams over time. It definitely has evolved from an art store to more of a community space where everyone is welcome. Everyone is learning, having fun being creative, and enjoying their time in the space that we’ve created here.
Can you walk us through your creative process? Do you follow specific rituals or habits to get into the flow of your work?
My creative process is kind of all over the place, so not only owning a store. I’m also an art teacher at three schools, so I would have to say my students inspire the store a lot. I sit down and talk to them. I found out what they like. They’re definitely my demographic that we are aiming for the store, so I like to hear their advice.
But as far as my creative process goes, I’m more focused on the small business aspect than the artist aspect because I believe creating a business and a painting are completely different. Here, I focus more on generating a service and a product more than a work of art. Don’t get me wrong. I love to do art and my creative process at home where I sit and doodle until I get something that I like. But while I’m doing this, all kinds of inspiration hits.
What themes, ideas, or emotions do you find yourself returning to in your work, and how have they shifted over time?
My artwork shows a lot of emotion. When I do draw, my style’s like Disney meets Bob’s Burgers. I’m always laughing, always having fun. I don’t think I can draw a scary piece of artwork, even though I try to make it scary. It’s pretty fun.
What’s been your biggest creative breakthrough, and how did it change the way you approach your art or writing?
My biggest creative breakthrough was when I self-published a book. I was able to go through the whole process: illustrating, writing, editing. Then publishing it and selling over 1000 copies, and the reason it was my biggest creative breakthrough was because it was a goal that I set for myself and I was able to accomplish it. Another breakthrough that I had was working for Marvel during Covid and being able to add a card that I designed of Spider-Man to my collection I had as a little kid. It was just one of those moments where as an artist, you have become the people that you admired when you were little kids.
How do you navigate periods of creative block or self-doubt, and what techniques have helped you push through?
To navigate self-doubt, I have to reassure myself that I am good at what I do, and to challenge myself to do better and to try new techniques and keep learning. I feel with art that it’s always changing, and you have to keep wanting to learn to advance your art and your style.
Now, when I have artist block, I feel like that’s a time when you just recenter yourself and look at all your inspiration you saved on Pinterest, in your books, on your phone, and also go back to your roots and see your original inspiration even in your childhood. What made you wanna be an artist? And what do you want to convey through your art? Sometimes you just need to sit down and remember why you do what you do, and it’s definitely easier said then done.
How do feedback and criticism play a role in your process? How do you decide what advice to follow and what to set aside?
Criticism in my field is crucial. Does it affect me? Yes, but not in a negative way. Everyone has their own opinion and what they consider art. I do listen to it. I evaluate it, and I see how I can use it to make my art better. Do I always accept it? No, but I do listen. Having people that can look at your art and talk critically about it is good because everyone needs that truth.
How do you balance personal creative expression with the commercial or external demands of your work?
My work is very commercial. All my artwork sells, and I rarely ever keep it for myself. Some people would say I’m a sellout, but I need to pay the bills, and my art pays the bills. It’s a fine line between finding a hobby and making a career, and I chose a career. And I choose to make art that people will buy, and that is fulfilling.
What’s one of the most challenging projects you’ve worked on, and how did you overcome the difficulties you faced?
One of the most challenging projects I’ve ever worked on would have to be teaching kindergarten, haha. There’s a lot riding on your shoulders when it’s up to you to teach future artists the beginning of art and create that urge to learn. Or they want to learn and you need to make it fun, because let’s be honest, if it’s not fun, nobody’s gonna wanna do it. So for me, the challenge is helping those young artists as soon as they get to kindergarten and start having fun creating art and being creative in school and enjoying it. Because it’s up to the teacher to make sure the kids learn to like school.
How do you stay motivated and disciplined, especially during times when inspiration is lacking or inconsistent?
Motivation in my field is kinda hard because, as an artist, I feel that you have to be self-driven. I have a lot of determination, and I have a lot of ambition. Having all three of those is really hard. But here at Creative House of Art & Design, there’s a great staff that is creative as well, and together they keep me on track, always challenging me to push myself and go further with our ideas and make our events better or even selling better products or new products. Everything from what type of color pencil to the cardboard cutouts that we have, but being self-motivated is key, and knowing that you have a lot of people riding on your ideas and the success of a business definitely helps keep me motivated.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out, or to an artist who’s struggling to find or trust their creative voice?
My advice to future artists is always push yourself, always strive to do your best. Almost doesn’t count, good enough isn’t good. You have to try your best because your artwork is always gonna speak for itself when you’re not there to do it. Also, do what you enjoy. Have fun, and if you don’t like it, don’t do it. Create your own style in a fun way that you love, and then you can express yourself and just have fun and enjoy your job.
M.K. Hancock here. Thank you for supporting “The Creative Wayfinder’s Compass” where we’re highlighting insights from real human artists for aspiring creative people. Thanks again to Chad Cruz for this interview.
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