– Katharine Hepburn

SHELLIE ANN CRUZ

About Me

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Shellie Ann Cruz is a senior at Bowie State University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a Studio Concentration. Ms. Cruz is a native of California but spent all of elementary school living in Guam and going to Catholic school. This led her to study culture, race and religion as a past-time. As an avid reader she knows your never too old to learn something new and hopefully grow. She is a veteran of the United States Army who served a year in Afghanistan. In her previous chapter she worked as a licensed esthetician, massage therapist and make-up artist for over 10 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was a make-up artist on the show, “View from the Bay” which aired on CBS. She has always loved working with her hands and transforming things.

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For as long as she can remember art has been her biggest savior. Along with music and nature she was deeply influenced by the riot grrrl scene in the 90’s, Kathleen Hanna, Peggy Bacon, Melanie Yazzie, Judy Chicago and Frida Kahlo.

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Ms. Cruz uses printmaking, mixed media, painting, ceramics, and small metal work as her “go to” mediums. Her art focuses on themes of mental health, addiction, symbolism, dreams, and spirituality. Her love of traditional tattoo art is referenced throughout her work.  

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Her current body of work Sanity is meant to take the viewer on a voyage through the mind of someone who suffers from depression and PTSD. She hopes it starts an open conversation about mental health and that it will break some of the stigma, silence and shame that exist for many people who deal with it. She hopes that if you also suffer this body of work will help you to feel less alone.

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If you are suffering or know someone else who is please see my help and resources page for guidance.