Kim Cruz, the woman who I believe, gave birth to influencer marketing in the country, is now known for her work of arts. Her secret? “No expectations. I just do what feels right.”
I was around 18 years old when I first heard about Kim Cruz. I signed a contract with an advertising company to be one of their influencers and the “peg” they showed me along with the roster of young influencers was Kim Cruz.
I’ve followed her for the past four years. It’s both beautiful and inspiring to watch her shift from a lifestyle content creator to one of the most respected upcoming painters in the country. Her career in fine arts is only starting.
Kim said during the time she was known as a content creator – she was simply posting content of her vacations, pictures she found inspiring, her everyday life that she found artsy. As an introvert, content creation, fine arts, and learning has been part of her core.
“Art is where I feel most at home. I’ve always believed that growing up, it’s very important to do what you feel you need to do.”
When asked about how she started being exposed to the arts and painting? She shares that her parents have been art collectors which led her to pursue fine arts in Ateneo de Manila University.
“Growing up in a creative household led me to expose myself to the arts. My dad was into collecting paintings from local artists while my mom was into fashion. I’m just really blessed to have supportive parents.”
Kim Cruz proves that when you follow your passion, all else follows. Even during the time she was immersed in media as a content creator, she was never after endorsements nor the money that came with it. This experience is similar to her passion for paintings.
She focuses on honing her skills to promote the essence of womanhood. What separates her from most artists is her technical style. She utilizes a painting technique called Impasto, painting with layers and playing with textures, similar to Pablo Picasso.
“I’ve always wanted to promote the essence of being a woman and promote the beauty of women through figurative art.”
A woman of beauty, brains, and passion – Kim Cruz is someone I personally look up to and my constant reminder to follow your dreams. From posting random content, painting during the pandemic as a way to introspect, Kim Cruz is now being trained by Ben Cab, and has had her art works sold out in various exhibits.
“I always show him my work and accept his criticism. He’s one of the people I trust with advice – just being able to ask advice from someone like Ben Cab is enough.”
This coming March 13, 2022, she is showcasing her works in a global exhibit. She seeks into venturing creating sculptures and making furniture for the rest of this year. She embodies what it means to be a learner. At 24 years old, Kim Cruz, teaches us to count blessings, absorb learnings, and be a sponge.
“Keep your feet on the ground. It’s easy to let success get on your mind. Successful people are constant learners. They’re people who constantly find ways to improve themselves yet celebrate a series of small wins.”
In a world of pressure coming from social media, let Kim Cruz’s story remind us to be true to your core, find happiness in your day to day life, and draw inspiration from every person you meet, every place you go, and every thing you experience; both good and bad.
Follow Kim Cruz on Instagram @kimcrooz
Photo by: Juan Carlo Jose
Wardrobe by: @cruz.mnl
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