Catherine Cruz is a French-American abstract artist who works with collage and mixed media. Informed by more than twenty-five years of experience in the design world, she takes inspiration from a unique perspective, which spans architecture, interior design, and sustainability.
She received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design (Cum Laude) from Florida State University in 1993 and had a successful career as residential and commercial interior designer for 25 years, followed by a second career and the creation of her own business as LEED-accredited green building consultant working with international architectural firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, New York, and Houston.
Her art work is informed by textures and patterns created by the passing of time and the effect of the natural elements on the built environment. A walk in the streets of Paris, Barcelona or San Francisco is always a source of inspiration. In the process of observing the contrast between new and old architecture, the textures of walls, the torn posters, and the typography on the storefronts, she creates her own visual vocabulary that she utilizes in her mixed media work. As a predominantly self-taught artist, she has developed her style by exploring materials and techniques. Her abstract vocabulary is based on intuitive mark making, lines and forms, as well as the exploration of visual and tactile texture, and a good understanding of color.
She lives in Sebastopol, CA, with her family, and stays in Valence, France, every year where she hosts art retreats for groups. She created Be You Art Studio and launched her creative workshops in 2018 and she has led numerous art classes for children and adults for both in France and the USA. Her passion is to encourage others to unleash their creativity, experiment with materials, and connect with their imagination.
She participates in Sonoma County’s Art Trails Open Studios every Fall. This professionally juried event is comprised of over 100 artists who open their studio in Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Petaluma, and surrounding areas.
Catherine Cruz est une artiste franco-américaine qui utilise le collage et les techniques mixtes. Avec une expérience de plus de 25 ans dans le design, elle trouve l’inspiration grâce à une perspective unique issue de l’architecture, le design et l’écologie.
Elle a obtenu son diplôme d’architecte d’intérieur avec mention à Florida State University en 1993 et elle a fait carrière dans le design pendant 25 ans, suivie d'une deuxième carrière et de la création de sa propre entreprise en 2015 en tant que consultante en construction écologique, accréditée LEED, tout en collaborant avec des cabinets d'architectes internationaux dans la région de San Francisco, ainsi qu’à Los Angeles, New York et Houston.
Son travail artistique est influencé par les textures et les motifs créés par le passage du temps et l’effet des éléments naturels sur le monde urbain. Une promenade à pied dans les rues de Paris, Barcelone ou San Francisco est toujours pour elle une source d’inspiration. A partir de son observation du contraste entre l’architecture nouvelle et ancienne, des textures des murs, des affiches déchirées, et de la typographie sur les enseignes des magasins, elle arrive à créer et exprimer son propre vocabulaire qu’elle utilise dans son travail de matières. Artiste autodidacte, elle a développé son style en explorant des matériaux et des techniques variées. Son vocabulaire abstrait est basé sur la création intuitive de marques, de lignes et de formes, ainsi que l'exploration de textures visuelles et tactiles, et une bonne compréhension de la couleur.
Elle vit avec sa famille à Sébastopol en Californie, et séjourne à Valence chaque année où elle organise des séjours artistiques pour des groupes. En 2018, elle a créé sa marque Be You Art Studio et lancé ses ateliers créatifs enseignés aux enfants et aux adultes en France et aux Etats Unis. Sa passion est d’encourager les autres à libérer leur créativité, expérimenter avec différents matériaux et se connecter à leur imagination.
Elle participe aux journées portes ouvertes “Sonoma County’s Art Trails Open Studios” chaque automne. Les artistes sont choisis par un jury professionnel et plus de 100 artistes participent en ouvrant leur studio dans les villes de Sébastopol, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sonoma et Petaluma, et les environs.
Current Exhibitions
“Visual Prompts”, Sebastopol Gallery, Sebastopol, CA, April 2 to June 2, 2024
“Renewal” at the gallery of the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, April 11 to May 19, 2024
Guest artist, Salon 1322, Belmont, CA
Past Exhibitions
Art Trails Open Studio Sept-Oct 2023
Solo Show, La Maison Nugues, Romans-sur-Isère, France, June 2023
Santa Rosa Arts Center, members show March 3 to April 2, 2023
Healdsburg Center for the Arts, members show “Red”, February 2 to March 12, 2023
Healdsburg Center for the Arts, members show “Blue”, January 5-29, 2023
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, members show exhibition, December 3-30, 2022
Petaluma Arts Center, Art to Go Wall and Boutique, ongoing November 2022
Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studio, juried event, Sebastopol, California, September 24-25 and October 1-2
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, juried group exhibition “Abstract 2022”, June 18 to July 24, 2022, Merit Award for “Crossroads”
Penny MacNaughton Gallery, Art Escape, Sonoma, California - non-juried group exhibition “Embedded”, June 3 to July 8, 2022
Santa Rosa Arts Center, non-juried group show, “Upcycled”, June 3 to July 30, 2022
Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg, California, Miniatures Exhibition, May 6 to June 19, 2022
Graton Gallery and Sebastopol Center for the Arts LIVE art showcase, Graton, California, April 22 to May 29, 2022
Penny MacNaughton Gallery, Art Escape, Sonoma, California - “Loose Ends” Group Exhibition, April 9 to May 20, 2022
La Boutique Laurent, Valence, France - January to March 2022
Penny MacNaughton Gallery, Art Escape, Sonoma, California - “Altered Ancestors” Group Exhibition, December 2021 to January 2022
Members Exhibition, Petaluma Arts Center, Petaluma, California - November 13 to December 18, 2021
Holiday Gift Market, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg, California - November to December 2021
San Mateo County Arts Commission, Redwood City, California - “Women’s View 2020” Group Exhibition, March to June 2020
SMPNS Holiday Show and Sale, San Mateo, California - December 2019
Be You Art Studio, Open Studio & Sale, San Mateo, California - November 2019
A conversation with Catherine
Why “Be You” Art Studio?
Because art is what allows me to be truly myself. Art is that safe place where I can express myself without words. I wanted my studio name to be a reminder to always be true to myself, to honor my creativity without self-judgement and hopefully to inspire others in their art practice.
What is collage?
For me, collage is putting together images, typography, and colors using found materials and my own painted papers which results in a coherent composition that is graphically interesting. It is both in an intuitive and a thoughtful process.
I enjoy layering materials and adding mixed media to create a rich tapestry of textures and images.
How do you work with paper?
I create my own painted papers using various found and recycled paper materials onto which I mix colors and paint abstract shapes and patterns. I also make monotype prints by pressing paper directly onto paint spread on my palette. I end up with large sheets of painted paper that I cut up or tear. I like tearing by hand because it allows for less control. In my collage compositions I arrange these pieces of paper with other printed paper which may contain patterns, images, photos, and typography.
What type of images interest you?
I enjoy working with vintage images and text collected in France and the US because it allows me to blend my two cultures in my art. I love images from the 1950’s-60’s including photos, ads, and illustrations from children books, but I also love older papers from the early 19th century, like handwritten letters, books and ledgers, etc. In addition, I create my own painted patterns and textures on various types of paper including vintage and recycled papers. Adding my own papers to my collage work has made a significant difference in my creative process.
Typography is a beautiful art form to me and I’ve always been fascinated by it. In an other life I probably would have been a graphic designer. Being an avid reader since childhood, I’ve always appreciated books and printed materials.
What from your career as interior designer informs your art?
From the young age of fourteen, I knew I wanted to be an interior designer because I have always been attracted to exquisite interiors, furniture, and textiles.
In my art I find myself recreating palettes of various textures and colors. It comes from many years of assembling material boards and interior vignettes. I like playing with juxtaposition, contrast, and scale. Putting together a room with interesting furniture and textures, and mixing old and new is not that different from creating a collage.
