Cobie Cruz

I was born in Manila, Philippines into a family of artists. My grandfather and father were both visual artists who helped me shaped my artistic style. I started my career in advertising as an art director and then became a TV commercial director before starting to paint professionally.

My paintings are an exploration of composition, colour and texture. By bold and purposeful brush strokes are created by both purpose and spontaneity and reflect my interpretation of the world that surrounds me.

After successful group and solo art shows in Manila in the early 2000s, I moved with my family to Toronto in 2005. Like all new immigrants I slowed down in my paintings to help my ever-supportive wife in rebuilding our family but I never stopped painting.

In 2015, before my dad passed, I promised him I would go back to painting. Fulfilling my promise, I've joined group exhibitions in Toronto, Singapore and a solo show in Manila in 2019. Painting now is my full time job, I am currently represented by Canvas and Petroff Galleries in Toronto and Galerie Bloom in Montreal.

Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts Major in Advertising - University of Santo Tomas, Manila Philippines

Solo Exhibitions
• The Promise, The Saturday Group Art Gallery, Philippines - January 2019
• Rainscape, Finale Art Gallery, Philippines - October 2005
• Precipitation (Purple Series) West Gallery, Philippines - July 2005

Group Exhibitions
• Black & White Petroff Gallery, Toronto – May, 2023
• Form, Twist Gallery, Toronto – February, 2023
• Works On Paper, Petroff Gallery, Toronto – November, 2019
• Harmony, Twist Gallery, Toronto – November, 2018
• Miniature Exhibition, Petroff Gallery, Toronto – February, 2018
• Beyond Perimeter, (guess artist) Arta Gallery, Toronto – April, 2017
• Summer Exhibit, Ben Navaee Gallery, Toronto – August, 2016
• Creations and Expression, Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery, Toronto - June, 2007
• Texture in Style, Momentous Arts Gallery, Singapore - July, 2007
• The Saturday Group Show, Art Center Mega Mall, Philippines - July, 2006
• Vibration, Galerie Astra, Philippines - March, 2006
• 12" x 9", West Gallery, Philippines - December, 2005
• Quartet, West Gallery, Philippines - November, 2005
• Articulate, Finale Art Gallery, Philippines - October, 2005
• Rainscape, Finale Art Gallery, Philippines - October, 2005
• Precipitation (Purple Series) West Gallery, Philippines - July, 2005
• 20/20 Vision, Galerie As...