Chris Cruz

Chris was raised in Puerto Rico where she was surrounded by the beautiful colors of the island, not only in their food but also the beat of the Latin Music, and Art everywhere. Chris always grew up doing some kind of artwork, but work brought her to The Sunshine State where she met her husband Tony and settled into married life. She quit her job and became a stay-at-home Mom to raise their daughter. Her neighbor opened an art studio and asked Chris to help with class sign up and she would give her free painting classes in trade. Chris discovered the power of the paintbrush and never looked back. Soon, people started placing orders for her art and she joined several craft shows in the area. It was around 1993 that Chris got her big break. Her neighbor was closing her store and left 2 large boxes on her porch with supplies and a note that read “Now there is no excuse for you not to go into business for yourself.” She saw this as a gift from God. Soon after, she opened her own arts and crafts store and started teaching people how to paint. She ran this business for 8 years when a sudden illness made it impossible for her to keep working like she did. She invited all of her students to come to the store, gave each one a box and said to them “fill these up with supplies” my gift to you for helping me all these years. I am just paying forward what someone shared with me. Her students went one step further and helped her clean the store, leaving the building brand new. Chris recovered and continued to paint. Painting was in her blood. Family brought her and her husband to Birmingham Alabama 8 years ago. God had big plans for her. Not soon after she moved to Yellowhammer State, she started teaching classes. Chris never stops learning and often takes classes with other professionals, she calls her style experimental because you never know what she will come up with next. She loved using Golden paints and applied to become an Artist Educator for the company. She was accepted and was trained in New Orleans for a week along with 19 other applicants on all products GOLDEN. Not soon after that Silver Brushes offered her the same opportunity and is currently sharing her love of these products with her students. You will often see her on her YouTube Channel sharing ways on how to use Silver Brushes or how to play with some GOLDEN products. She has been featured in many publications. Her art is affordable because she wants her customers to take home a little of bit of her love for Art home with them. The best way to be the change is to share your talent with the world. She wants to share the love of ART with anyone that crosses her path and instill in her students that we are all talented. When she teaches, she gives her students 100% of herself. She currently is teaching at Alabama Art, Shelby County Arts Council, Alabaster, Chelsea, Heardmont, Trussville and Columbiana Senior Centers. She is a Member of the Mountain Brook Art Association, Middle Tennessee Artists and also teaches at conventions in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.