Featured Artist | Hazel Cruzado

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Admin11

Hazel Cruzado is an amazing artist inspired by nature. I have collaborated with her on three separate occasions. The first was the Turtle conservation art show, the second was Sharks and Rays fundraiser and the third was the Coral Conservation art show. All three events were held at the Okinawa Brewing Company and were a huge success! Stop by and check out the huge OBC turtle logo, she is the artist that designed the perfect logo for the company.

Purpose of the art shows: To educate others about these amazing creatures and the major threats they are facing. To donate some of the profits for the art pieces to conservation organizations.

Below are some of my favorite art pieces by Hazel Cruzado.

Her Story

Hazel Cruzado is a local artist from a small fishing village in Okinawa, Japan. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Okinawa at age three with her family upon the invitation of her native Okinawan grandmother. Despite never having received formal training as an artist, the generous guidance of artistically minded friends and the unfailing support from her family encouraged her to pursue art full time in 2012. Living in Okinawa has allowed Hazel to enjoy many unique artistic traditions, natural beauties, and outdoor activities that the island has to offer. Her love for nature, particularly the sea, is a strong inspiration that is often portrayed in her work. Recent projects incorporate driftwood and sea glass, reclaimed/ up-cycled objects such as old surfboards and canvases from an old sail boat’s sail. Driftwood frames, meticulously and skillfully handmade by her husband, complete non-canvas paintings with its unique weather-worn look. Hazel creates art as a way to share the beauty she discovers in nature and ordinary things and hopes that her work may inspire others to live a life of gratitude, glorifying God the Creator of all things.

Check out more stunning work on her website

Have a great day!

Coral Conservation Art Show & Fundraiser 2018 – Okinawa, Japan

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Admin11

Coral conservation fundraiser

For all that will be in Okinawa Sunday, October 28, 2018, visit the Corals Art Show & Fundraiser! This year is the International Year of the Reef, and that’s why the 3rd edition of Okinawa’s Art Show & Fundraiser (started by Julia Janicki) will be for CORALS!

Enjoy this great mix of art, artists and scientists, live music, nice beers, and a ‘touch table’ to play around with some real science. The auction of the art is until 5:30 PM, this is your chance to find some unique local artwork and donate to a good cause.

Flyer Design – Photos by Shawn Miller, Calligraphy and Illustration by Nicolas Baldwyn, Japanese Calligraphy by Tetsuhiro Hokama, Design by Mirijam Neve.

The Purpose – To educate others about these amazing creatures and the major threats they are facing. To donate some of the profits from the art pieces to conservation organizations (Conservation International to support their CTI)

People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography? Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.

I will be offering five high-quality underwater fluorescence photographs printed on metal for the fundraiser. A percentage of the sales will be donated to coral conservation awareness.

Coral conservation fundraiser prints

The event was a huge success. Thank you all for your support. Here are a few photographs of the event.