The Lobero Theatre is thrilled to welcome artist Pedro De La Cruz to our family of distinguished local painters who have contributed their unique artwork to the cover of BACKSTAGE. A self-taught artist born in Tijuana, Mexico, Pedro’s childhood was marked by poverty and adverse circumstances. Growing up, he was expected to help support the family financially, so there was little time left over to just be a kid. Unable to connect with the adult world around him, he turned to art as a form of self-expression and remembers always carrying around a sketchbook with him. Art became his constant.
Pedro’s family moved to Santa Barbara in the 80s and he began focusing on visual arts at Santa Barbara High School, then took some architectural classes at SBCC to further his skillset. There is a childlike innocence in his work which gives off a playful energy. The fact that he still keeps crayons in his tray makes sense. Pedro’s process is tactile. He works fast and likes to paint using acrylics on canvas while ideas are still fresh in his mind. (Oils take too long to dry and concepts may drift away while waiting.) Pedro also enjoys using inks on paper.
De La Cruz’s biggest priorities in life are art, family, and community. He says that doing what he loves is a huge blessing. Being able to contribute to different organizations in society gives him a sense of purpose and is very rewarding. The artist first became familiar with the Lobero when his daughter performed on stage with the AHA! Program, then he and his wife began attending other events over the years. When a Lobero staff member approached him to create a painting for the 2025 Winter edition of our BACKSTAGE and this year’s holiday card, he learned that fellow local artists Brad Nack and Matt Rodriguez had also painted covers for the Lobero. Once he heard that he was sold!
Pedro was given free reign regarding the subject matter and decided to create his own interpretation of the theater. After having seen Ozomatli perform outdoors for our building’s Centennial this past summer, he thought what better way to showcase the Lobero than on the day we hosted our free Community Block Party? Pedro is preoccupied with the world around him and his mission is more about bringing joy to others versus what the piece looks like. When he works, it’s like improv – with no preconceived idea of the outcome – not knowing the next stroke, but rather choosing in the moment which direction the painting will go. For this piece, he started with a realistic interpretation of the building, then distorted it, and let his imagination fill in the rest, adding performers so the viewers can “feel” the music, then nearby dwellings representing the importance of community.
Pedro works in the moment, as inspiration strikes, and often finds himself switching between different pieces if his instinct calls for him to focus on another. When asked how his art has evolved over time, he mentioned that in the beginning, he mainly studied other artists and their techniques. But that eventually, he was able to find his own voice – one of sharing love and emotion. For Pedro, it’s all about bringing people together using vibrant colors, light, and good vibes. Even when using simply black and white, there is still an element of lightheartedness… happiness.
De La Cruz is passionate about reaching out to help other artists, being present, and living in the moment. There is enough room for everyone and supporting each other as artists is deeply important to him. He also became interested in the power of social media, as it provided an opportunity to help highlight others – fellow artists and those with small businesses. By harnessing the tools available, one can really build a strong sense of community and influence how the world is interacting. It’s about sharing from your heart, not expecting anything back. The only real goal is to build community.
Pedro lives with his family in Santa Barbara and maintains a busy studio in the Funk Zone. To learn more about his work, visit his website at www.pedrodelacruz-artist.com. You can also check out his Instagram: @pedrodelacruzartstudio and read more in Santa Barbara Independent’s recent article about him at https://www.independent.com/2024/11/06/santa-barbara-seen-the-art-of-pedro-de-la-cruz/
