Interview with Anika Cruz - Local Sacramento Artist
By: Deanna Jaxine Stinson, Paranormal Researcher
Halo Paranormal Investigations - HPI International
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shootingstarbaby@teardropsofanangel.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_zTv1CO8js&feature=youtu.beAnika Interview by Deanna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGMcvBx0XFw&feature=youtu.beAnika Cruz Sketches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwyaeoUn0LU&feature=youtu.beAnika Talks About Her UFO Experience
Question: Tell us something personal about yourself. Your family life? Where were you born and raised? Your favorite books? Your favorite TV shows, cartoons and movies? Your hobbies and recreational activities?
Answer: My name is Anika Cruz. I was born and raised in Sacramento, California, in the heart midtown. I’m 29 years old and a proud mother to my adorable baby girl. Some of my favorite hobbies are drawing, painting, or enjoying the outdoors on a nice hike or relaxing at the ocean. When I’m at home I enjoy watching television shows such as Chicago Fire, CSI, Scandal or popping in a romantic classic movie like Pretty Woman.
Question: Are you a self-taught artist or did you learn from someone or a school?
Answer: I’ve been drawing since I was 6 years old. It’s one of those born talents that I’m lucky to have. My #1 inspiration when I was a child was my mother. She would draw me pictures of characters and being a little girl, I wanted to be just like her. Soon, any and every Disney character was my inspiration. I drew them all, from 101 Dalmatians to Aladdin. I’ve always been self-taught, until my first art class in my senior year of high school. I was in Advanced Mural Art and my instructor was a little taken back when I told him I'd never taken a single art class before. Now, it’s a nice hobby that I try to challenge myself in every year.
Question: What inspires you to draw?
Answer: Life and Culture is my biggest inspiration. The Latino culture is full of vibrant color which brings happiness, religion, spirituality and love . It’s beauty. It’s everything I put into my artwork.
Question: What attracts you to the Day of the Dead type of art?
Answer: The history of Dia de los Muertos is inspiring to me because its about celebrating the lives of our friends and family who have passed on. celebrating their spirits that are still around us. I feel a spiritual connection to it.
Question: What artist would you say is your inspiration?
Answer: The artist that I most admire is Henry Asencio, a latino artist from Los Angeles, California who studied at San Francisco's Academy of Art University . His medium is oil on canvas. He is known for his paintings of the female silhouette with abstract backgrounds. You can feel the romance and passion in his work. They take my breath away every time I look at them. I was first introduced to his work in a gallery in Lake Tahoe about six years ago. Now, whenever I'm in Lake Tahoe I have to visit the gallery and see what new masterpieces he has created.
Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years with your artwork?
Answer: In this coming year, I plan to debut an art collection by November for Dia de Los Muertos. By 5 years, I hope to have my artwork up in a couple of local businesses.
Question: Where can people see your artwork?
Answer: At this moment, my artwork is not displayed to the public. A website and social media pages will be available soon.
Question: How can people contact you?
Answer: email is best:
Canika888@att.netQuestion: How did you get involved with Chalk it Up? Do you do other events?
Answer: I first attended the Chalk it Up festival when I was 14 years old. My family supported my artwork and encouraged me to get involved. Since then, I’ve had four local businesses sponsor me. This event is the only event I participate in every year. I always look forward to it and it keeps me doing what I love.
Question: Since we are in the paranormal, I have to ask you a question, have you ever experienced anything paranormal?
Answer: I’ve had a couple of experiences. I’ve had two dreams where I feel like I’m awake but something is keeping me from screaming and moving. I felt an evil in my room. So scary!
Question: Now to some fun questions. If you had 6 dinner guests, 3 historical and 3 fictional, who would they be?
Answer: Ricky Martin, Michael Jordan, Leonardo DaVinci, Batman, Chandler (from Friends) & Leonardo (Ninja Turtle)
Question: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring with you?
Answer: toothbrush, sun tan lotion & paper
Question: Thank you for this wonderful interview, do you have any words of wisdom for your readers?
Answer: Embrace your talents, don’t waste them. Immerse yourself in them. And take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.
Deanna Jaxine Stinson, HPI Supernatural Sleuth
aka The Black Rose
Halo Paranormal Investigations (HPI International)
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