VYSUALYZE: Arts & Entertainment
“I took a few years off of doing photography and graphic art. When I started again recently, everything seemed a bit weird. My artistic vision was still there, but it all took a while to get back into place…” ~CRUZ
MEET CRUZ LEACOCK PHOTOGRAPHER/CREATOR OF WWW.VYSUALYZE.COM
“I am an artist living in Philadelphia, PA! My chosen mediums are photography and graphics arts. I was educated in both fields from several different outlets including classroom training and self teachings. After I learned all the technical aspects I could, I threw them away and began creating art only the way I visualized. Growing up in the Philadelphia school system, I felt uncultured as a student and completely unprepared for life, much less college. I was desperately looking for something to inspire and fill me with passion. I took several different courses in college including communications, education, computer science and business but nothing could hold my attention until I started taking art classes. My first two being Photography and Art History. It opened a new world to me and I became engulfed in photography and graphic design. My photos have been featured in several local papers and a few exhibits but the majority was personal work for myself and others.”
Cruz takes a pause to sip his hot Starbucks coffee on this raining Saturday morning at Philadelphia International Airport . He sits nexted me dressed comortably with his black hoodie of his head as I only have a breif time to chat with him before my plane boards. Happy he agreed to meet with me on such short notice and time constraint he continues to speak articulately in a fluent manor about himself…
“My purpose? To be able to spread the gift of artistic expression to youth and individuals who are trying to find a greater purpose and beauty in their everyday lives. As children in school and even adults of all ages, society portrays an image of absolute success; a doctor, an entertainer, a lawyer, an athlete. Being an artist, a world changer, a self expressionist is just as important. When you share your gift of art with others, you change lives. I believe through art and self expression you find the person you want to be and discover how you want to change the world. I plan to spread my word by creating local art galleries and a foundation that supports art programs catered to my purpose. Most importantly, by continuing to create my art because that’s my way of changing the world.”
Cruz makes the above statement while I was on a recent layover in Philly. This Photogragher & Website Creator met up with me for brief coffee chat in between my planes. You can read the bulk of our conversation below:
CJM: Congratulations on the lanching of www.vysualyze.com
CRUZ: Thanks CeeJ! The site is finally up and open for the business of sharing art and culture online. Everything is a bit bare so far but definately check out mysite. Thank you in advance for the support and I hope everyone reading this will become a frequent viewer of vysualyze.com community.
CJM: Do you consider yourself a trend setter?
CRUZ: No, I don’t! I think when someone is a true artist, being a trend setter should be the last thing on their minds. I think it jeopardizes complete artistry. I know that my work is a reflection of myself and my visions. When you are lucky enough to find your passion and you give yourself completely to it, it becomes greater than a trend but a movement. Movements lasts forever!
CJM: When did you decide you wanted to be a photographer?
CRUZ: I decided to become a photographer after the first image I produced in the dark room back in 2000. When I saw that image, which is my photograph of the street on a rainy day, I was blown away. The fact that I could take this picture of a 
moment in time I thought was beautiful and make it “come to life” again made me feel alive. I was searching in my life for something I could connect with. This felt right in my heart. I knew I had to give it my all.
gh her work. That is ultimately the feeling I want others to get when they look at my photographs. Most importantly, I love that she stands for change and is a strong person. I swear if and when you look into the things she’s accomplished both artistically and socially, you will be moved.Check out IRA FOX”Beauty can be found anywhere. Even in puddles on the streets of New York. Photographer Ira Fox shows just how beautiful they can be with his series Reflections.” CLICK HERE
CJM: What are some up coming projects you are working on?I looked at the time on my cell phone and realize it was very close to time for me boarding my plane back to Houston. I finish up with this question as we stood and I before I turned off my portable tape recorder…
CJM: How can the viewrs contact you or submit work to your site?
ll. I’m looking to network with other artists and people who can help me with my cause and foundation as well. I am inspired by other peoples stories, lives and art work, so please don’t hesitate to share with me. I’ll be accepting photos until Febuary 29th and I can’t wait to see your photos! Share with us anything from a famous city landmark or even that old lady that sits outside everyday yelling at everyone and everything. This monthly photo call is open to everyone from beginners to professionals taken from any photography device you have available so there’s no way to be excluded. The subject for March is City Life. We’ll be accepting photos until February 29th.
Just as quickly as this chat had started it was summued up in the words of true Photogragher…”In a FLASH!” ~C.JAY
C. Jay McGruder's website produces diverse quality Web based entertainment for participants and viewers alike, while using this Social Media outlet as a networking vehicle to market, promote, and transport Gifted individuals who are starting off in any business or creative arts career by supplying a platform to display services, skills, and talents in an inexpensive, positive, tasteful light!
0 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks