Aaron De La Cruz Debuts With Toque

1xRun Thru Interview
Toque by Aaron De La Cruz

1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Aaron De La Cruz: This piece was created out of a drawing I used to create a print for a past show titled “Most Oddinism”. When approached by 1xRUN I knew I wanted to do something that was new for my work. I decided to use the existing artwork as I felt the amount of negative space really worked with the application of the letter press application.

1xRun: When was this piece created and with what materials?
Aaron De La Cruz: The original drawing was a sharpie pen, the print here is a letter press. The piece was created late last year in the airport on flight back from Germany.

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1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Aaron De La Cruz:  I just knew that I wanted this print to be one that I wanted the viewer to touch and feel if possible. I know it’s not the right or appropriate thing to do with prints but I figured oh well. I’m moving into a new direction with my work and this print is just one example of the other ways I would like to involve my audience.

1xRun: How long did this piece take?
Aaron De La Cruz: about an hour.

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1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Aaron De La Cruz: I like to think that the fact that this print is entirely colorless or restricted from high contrast black and white which is what Im usually known for is somewhat unique.

1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Aaron De La Cruz: It’s the first of a series that I will be working on.

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1xRun: You’ve been to Pow Wow a few times now, who are some of the artists this year you’re looking forward to seeing?
Aaron De La Cruz: This will be my third time heading back. I’m excited to see Jeff Hamada as he always has some great message that we all need to stop and read. I have been fortunate to see some of the participants paint in previous meetings but off the top of my head Ron English and Dave Kinsey.

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1xRun: Anybody you’d personally like to collaborate with if the opportunity presented itself?
Aaron De La Cruz: Insa or Andrew Schultz.

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1xRun: You’ve headed to Hawaii a few times now? what are you most looking forward to this year?
Aaron De La Cruz: This will be my fifth time heading back. Relaxing with my Family (pow wow and my wife and kids.) Before having my twins last year which is why I missed the last pow wow I swore to come out to Hawaii every year til I die along with New York. I love it here and I am honored to have known Jasper before all this Pow Wow stuff was a twinkle is his eye. So hanging out when it’s not pow wow season is just as awesome. And the people in Hawaii are incredible.

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1xRun: Do you have any plans for your wall out there or are you just going to improvise it when you get there?
Aaron De La Cruz: I sort of have a plan if I don’t get the paint that I want. As of now I think I want to do something with triangles. Last pow wow I had a talk with local artist Prime and he looked in my sketchbook and noticed that I used many triangles in my work and schooled me into the Hawaiians history with triangles and tribal tattoos.

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1xRun: You’ve been staying crazy busy per usual, bring us up to speed on some of the walls you’ve been doing lately?
Aaron De La Cruz: Man 2013 was one big blur to me with having my twins. Some major projects that I felt raised the bar for me was the Branded Arts project in Los Angeles, Warsteiner project in Berlin, a private commission that was featured in the Wall Street Journal and I think I left a few things out but those were some of the highlights.

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1xRun: How did 2013 wrap up for you?
Aaron De La Cruz: It was amazing. To be honest I was a breath away from calling this art thing quits. Having worked in the education field for the past ten years and doing my “own thing” part time it was fun. But when I had my kids it really got to a point to sit back and say to myself “okay now what?” I have been creating art full time now and only looked forward since then and will continue to keep pushing and setting an example of what hard work is for my kids.

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1xRun: Aside from Pow Wow 2014, what are your plans for the new year?
Aaron De La Cruz: Collaborative projects, release of my jewelry project and a solo show in New York set for October.

1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Aaron De La Cruz: – Website Facebook Instagram @aarondeacuz

-1xRUN