Meet Regan Cruz | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Regan Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Regan, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
I have always known within myself that I was going to do something with my imagination and love for art. Eventually I began to believe that, although my dream could come true, it probably wouldn’t for a long time. “Now’s not my time” I used to say to myself. However, what I learned about a year ago is nothing is ever accomplished unless you go for it. I saw a creative need within the company I was working for, and decided to do something about it. I illustrated designs, created a presentation, and took my own initiative to contact my boss and face my fear of possible rejection. Nothing ever happens without taking that first step and having confidence in who you’re meant to be!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
OreganO’s Originals aspires to create art to inspire joy and positivity! I (OreganO) love creating as a way to bring out my own childlike imagination and happiness into a physical form, in hopes that it will effect my viewers the same way. Every time I hear from excited followers of my work that they were so happy to complete their collection of my pins, or are eagerly awaiting for the next design to drop, it fills my heart with pure joy. To know that I have created something that, not only I love and enjoy, but that others enjoy just the same! Getting to this place in my business took a lot of courage, however. OreganO’s Originals would never be where it is today, and growing, if I had never taken the opportunity with my partner business, Working to Give, to fulfill a need they had, and present my solution. I took the initiative and had faith in my cute little originals, and although my business still has a lot of room for growth, I am so happy with where I am today and with the decisions I made to get my art out there for others to enjoy!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Okay so don’t judge me for this because as you can see by my art and personality, my opinions of a good time are going to be different than your average female in her mid 20’s. Definitely would start my girl out with a Disneyland trip, not only to see my art up for display in Downtown Disney, but just because any trip is better when the most magical place on Earth is involved! One of my other favorite places to go is the Irvine Spectrum, not necessarily for the shopping, but because I LOVE The Escape Game company and their awesome escape room theming! The other places that are a bit whacky, are any and every arcade, including Dave And Busters, John’s Incredible Pizza, and Round 1. I’m also a nature lover and luckily Southern California has the most beautiful tide pool beaches for appreciating sea life, as well many river hiking locations that just make my heart so happy. Sprinkle in some animal shelters, the San Diego Zoo, and any ramen, sushi, and poke spot, you’ve got yourself a 10/10 trip I’d be honored to take any of my friends on.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Luckily for me my pursuit of art and making that my full time career has always been supported! My parents have never given me doubt that I wouldn’t or shouldn’t be able to make being an illustrator a reality. Now today they continue to buy all of my products and be the first ones to “show off” my art to the rest of the family. I’m also so blessed to have found a husband who loves what I do, and helps me come up with new ideas in all my artistic endeavors!

Website: oreganosoriginals.com

Instagram: @oreganosoriginals

Youtube: @oreganosoriginals

Other: Check out the company I partner with in order to sell my cute pins! @Workingtogive is a wonderful company that I’ve had the pleasure working with for about 5 and a half years. They have always had a 50/5o vision, meaning they keep only 50% of their profits for all operations, and give %50 to local and global charities and organizations to help others!