Portfolio Coffeehouse is pleased to present, “Jazz In The Sun”—A Melodic Exploration Of Jazz In Painting by artist and educator, Maria Elena Cruz. The exhibition runs from August 1 to September 28th, 2009, with an Artist Reception on August 29th, 2009.

Cruz studied the arts at El Camino College and Pasadena Art Center, and has been teaching for the past 10 years, working with “at risk” youth and adults with mental illness.  She has exhibited her original designs in various galleries throughout Los Angeles and represented by the PR firm Diversity in Art.

“I use a trumpet player in my jazz images for multiple reasons,” explains Cruz. “On my journey as an artist, Miles Davis’ music has had a powerful influence in my work. A friend who was a very talented trumpet player exposed me to his music.  Occasionally, we would go for hikes and he would walk to a cliff and perform while I would sit and draw near the waterfall.  At one point, I looked up to see him play and admired his posture and passion as he performed and decided to capture the image at that moment. Over the years, I began to listen to Miles’ music while I painted and it would help me to transpose my emotions onto the canvas. The circular motion in the background of each painting reflects the movement of the music that draws me in. Although, the image that I use in most of this series is not Miles Davis, they all carry the title of his music because of the influence that both the music and my friend has had in my journey as an artist.”