Cranston woman paints New England sports mural in barber shop

Source: WJAR
Author: Molly Levine

(WJAR) -- A Cranston woman recently completed a mural of Jayson Tatum and other New England champions on a wall at a local barber shop.

It's a popular place to take photos in front of as the Celtics clinch banner number 18.

Tatum is painted alongside David Ortiz, Tom Brady, and Patrice Bergeron on a wall at Ultra Barber Shop in West Warwick.

Cruz said she worked several late nights to ensure the mural was done by the time the Celtics won the NBA championship.

"I wasn't leaving until like 2 in the morning, 4 in the morning," she said.

Cruz and her father have been creating art on the walls at Ultra since it opened in 2011.

She and her father have painted many, from movie characters to former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci.

"It's still very surreal for me I come in here and I'm like I'm so proud," said Cruz.

She told NBC 10's Reporter Molly Levine she feels she is living out her dream like the people in the murals are.

"If I never gave myself a chance and believed myself that I could do it, I would have never had this opportunity, I would have never been speaking to you guys, and I'm sure that these athletes can relate also," said Cruz. "If they never believed in themselves, and they never continued, they would never be world champions."

More of her art can be seen on Instagram, @artbyalexus