Charles “Pancho” Cruz was born in Sonoma, California in 1946 and has been a member artist at the Creativity Explored Art Center for artists with mental disabilities in San Francisco since 1992. He works most often with oil pastels, collage, printmaking, papier mache, acrylics and watercolors.

 

Pancho Cruz’s artwork includes drawings and paintings, and often depicts bugs and their environs. Cruz has an incredible sense of line, at times similar to impressionist renderings of insects and people. He combines printmaking with ink and pastel to create lively images of his world. Recently, he has become interested in depicting people from countries around the globe, particularly Japan and India.

 

Cruz proudly identifies himself as a Chicano artist. He also has a strong interest in other cultures, particularly in Japanese culture. He uses the proceeds from the sale of his works to attend World War II and "scary" movies with his friend. His favorites are Vampire, Godzilla and Mummy movies. He also enjoys visiting the Haunted House at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.