Artist Profiles: Joshua and Jacob Santa-Cruz
Joshua Santa-Cruz, Jacob Santa-Cruz
by Seth Albaum
Local brothers combine a love for comics, sci-fi and anime into a variety of work and a web site and illustration business called strange-daze.net.
I sat down with Lynn artists and brothers Josh and Jake for a conversation on the patio of Walnut Street Cafe to find out more. And to know the story, please listen to the sound bites as you read along.
What goes in, must come out. Artists Joshua and Jacob Santa-Cruz saturated themselves with science fiction and comics in their childhoods. “I think digesting all those things…like sci-fi comics, sci-fi anime…scit fi movies, sci fi television…it’s really lead us in that direction,” says Jake Santa-Cruz. According to Josh Santa-Cruz, it’s also about seeking quality.
The Hypnotist
And a quality selection was easy to come by as a kid in Lynn, with Cole’s Comics over on Boston St. “The digging days.”
As far as how they collaborate and who creates what, I’ll let them do the talking.
But how do they go about it? Josh elaborates more on materials and process.
I remarked how some of their imagery reminds me of psychedelic era band posters, and accurate or not, Jake has heard it before, and then Josh elaborates more on the coloring as it’s evolved from the 60′s.
How did they get started? Jake credits Josh for his encouragement. Then, Josh shares his experience with art at Lynn Classical and Jake elaborates on attending Breed and Classical. Incidentally, they both won the same award two years apart at LynnArts local schools exhibit.
An array of prints, available for purchase
The brothers believe that illustration and comic art can be elevated to the same level as, and displayed amongst other classic and more traditional fine work. Jake says “Comics can be married with fine art,” and Josh, always into comics and a more “Visceral way to tell a story” did an adaptation of the James Baldwin short story, Sonny’s Blues, originally published in 1957.
Jake explains his fascination with evil characters.
Joshua Santa-Cruz is also a talented drummer and played most recently with the band, Everyday Disaster.
They have exhibited in Lynn, Fitchburg, and Boston, and among other places.
Click on any image to enlarge.
Gort Attacks!
Past Artist Profiles include:
Nazi Zombi
Yeah, these guys are great. I went to school with Jake and I met his brother a few times and I actually admire these guys with a passion. I feel so honored to personally know them. After I met them I felt more inspired to do my own artwork better even though its in Photography, I feel more motivated to draw and keep at it until I reach their level.
I’m glad I finally have some people to look up to.
Love you guys !! xD