Pedro De La Cruz

Pedro De La Cruz, a self-taught artist born in Tijuana, Mexico, overcame a childhood marked by poverty and hardship. From the age of eight, he sold popsicles to support his family while holding onto his dream of becoming an artist. Now based in Santa Barbara, De La Cruz’s vibrant paintings are deeply influenced by the rich culture of his Mexican upbringing. His work focuses on capturing the joy, confidence, and dreams of the people he meets, creating colorful worlds filled with love and optimism.

A key moment in his career came in 2018 when one of his paintings auctioned for $100,000 at a Santa Barbara fundraiser. His piece Unity and Love was featured on the cover of Santa Barbara Magazine’s 45th-anniversary issue in 2020, embodying the hope and resilience that define his work. De La Cruz continues to pursue his artistic dreams from his busy studio in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, where he lives with his family.