We’re looking forward to introducing you to Orá Cruz. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Orá, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
What I’ve been chasing is the freedom of creativity. I’m not after fame; what truly drives me is the chance to create every day and stand on some of the world’s biggest stages, whether I’m holding a paintbrush or a camera. Throughout adulthood, life has occasionally pulled me away from my art, and those are the moments when I feel the most disconnected, like I’m running on autopilot. But the second I step back into my creative flow, it’s as if my mind exhales and everything feels aligned again. What I’m really chasing isn’t just success; it’s that feeling of freedom that only creating gives me, the reminder of who I am every time I return to it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Orá, and I’m an artist in every sense of the word, a muralist, painter, professional photographer, martial artist, and co-founder of Draw Lab. My life revolves around creating, moving, and expressing. Each art form I touch feeds the other: the discipline of martial arts keeps me grounded, the freedom of painting keeps me wild, and the camera teaches me to see beauty in moments most people overlook.
My brand is really a mirror of who I am, a blend of color, rhythm, and evolution. I’ve learned not to box myself into one path but to let curiosity lead the way. Whenever I discover a new craft, I fall into it completely, obsessed with learning, refining, and transforming it into something uniquely mine. There’s something magical about taking what once felt ordinary, a blank wall, a quiet face, an overlooked space, and turning it into something alive.
Draw Lab, on the other hand, is the heartbeat of community. It’s not about me, it’s about us, the artists, the dreamers, the people who show up to create and connect. My hope is that through my work and my journey, I can remind people of the power that lives in expression, that art, in any form, is freedom.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who believed in me most was my aunt Tati. Growing up, my parents worked long hours, so my sisters and I spent most of our time with my aunt and grandmother. Tati was a powerful woman who gracefully demanded respect, strong, elegant, and always composed. We shared a deep bond that shaped who I am today. Since I was little, she would always tell me, “The power is inside you.” Like any kid, I didn’t think much of it at the time, letting the words pass through one ear and out the other. But as life unfolded, those words rooted themselves deep within me. Now, they live on my business cards, inked into my skin, and etched into the way I live every day. Even though Tati is no longer here, her voice still guides me. I believe I am, and I can, because of her. Without her lessons, especially the ones about strength, faith, and flow, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Gracias Tati.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
As a perfectionist, the fear that holds me back most is the thought that my work won’t be good enough. I’m my own toughest critic, constantly chasing a standard that seems to keep moving the closer I get to it. I can spend endless hours on a single project, adjusting, refining, and editing until it finally feels right or at least close enough. I put so much of myself into what I create that the idea of disappointing a client or falling short of my own expectations can be paralyzing. Sometimes it makes me hesitate to start or accept new projects. But my power lies in awareness. I’ve learned to recognize when perfectionism is leading instead of passion, and I remind myself that creativity isn’t meant to be flawless, it’s meant to be felt. That shift keeps me creating, keeps me sharing, and keeps me growing through the imperfections.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
As a first-generation Cuban American born in New York, I truly embody both worlds. I carry the hustle, rhythm, and edge of New York, the hip hop, the grunge, the fast-paced energy that shaped my drive. At the same time, my Latina side is loud, proud, and full of color. I grew up in a bilingual household where culture was everywhere. My parents would blast hip hop and Spanish music while cooking the most delicious Cuban meals. The whole house would come alive, and my mom would line us up in the kitchen to teach my siblings, cousins, and me how to dance salsa. Those moments are where my love for rhythm, movement, and expression began.
Now living in Florida, people often tell me my New York accent still slips out, and honestly, I wear that with pride. I crave the sounds, the bounce, the grit, and the art scene of New York. It is the heartbeat that still fuels me. All those nuances live in my work. My art is a reflection of both cultures colliding, the bold, textured, and colorful influence of my Cuban roots, and the raw, urban energy of New York. I paint murals that celebrate Latin culture through vibrant color and pattern, but I also create pieces inspired by NY rappers, subway stations, graffiti, and street art. Even in photography, I’m drawn to places that tell a story, walls covered in tags, street corners, drums, DJs, and moments of everyday culture.
The cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. I never want to lose the mix that makes me who I am, a Cuban soul with a New York heartbeat. Everything I create is a love letter to both.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m alone and creating. Over the years, I’ve learned to create both in solitude and in the middle of a crowd, and while I love the energy of both, there’s something sacred about creating in my own space. My home and my parents’ home are my favorite places to work. When I’m there, I fall into a kind of trance that feels effortless and healing. I think, I release, I analyze, I plan, I pray, and I dream. It’s in those moments that I feel most connected to myself and my purpose. My idea of a perfect happily ever after is to one day retire in a small home surrounded by nature, spending my days creating freely. As much as my art makes me an extrovert in the world, at my core, I’m an introvert who finds peace in stillness and creation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oraslens.com & https://www.orascnvs.com
- Instagram: @oraslens, @orascnvs, @drawlaborlando @drawlabmiami
Image Credits
Celia Cruz Mural Painted by Cyst1
