We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joseph Zhou a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Joseph, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of my most meaningful projects has been my Memento Mori enamel pin collection. The theme of mortality, impermanence, and the beauty found in fleeting moments resonates deeply with me, and I wanted to translate that into wearable art.

This wasn’t just about making cool pins—it was about creating something that carried emotional weight. The collection was based on my Memento Mori skull paintings, and I was blown away by how much people connected with it. Some buyers even shared that the imagery helped them process grief or honor loved ones. Those moments hit me hard.

It was one of those projects that made me realize my art could be more than just visually striking—it could mean something to people. That’s a powerful feeling.

Dark art gets misinterpreted a lot. Some people see skulls, witches, or eerie imagery and assume it’s just about being edgy or grim for the sake of it. But my work isn’t about glorifying darkness—it’s about transformation, resilience, and embracing the full spectrum of existence.

I once had someone at a convention look at my art and say, “Wow, you must be really into death.” And I responded, “Yes…. but also, no… I’m really into life—that’s the whole point.”

Many people don’t understand that dark themes aren’t inherently negative. They can be cathartic, symbolic, or even uplifting. I’ve had to clarify this a lot, especially to friends and family who don’t quite get it. But I’ve learned that the right audience does understand—and that’s who I create for.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Joseph Zhou, and I’m a dark fantasy artist specializing in artwork that blends a bit of macabre elegance with themes of mortality, transformation, and resilience. My work often explores the beauty found in darkness—memento mori symbolism, eerie yet ethereal compositions, and a sense of narrative woven into every piece. I create original artwork, high-quality art prints, enamel pins, woven blankets, gaming playmats, and other collectibles that allow people to carry a piece of my world with them.

How I Got Into This Art Industry

My journey into the world of professional art wasn’t a straight line. I’ve always been creative—I spent more time doodling in school than taking notes, and I was fascinated by mythology, fantasy, and the macabre from a young age. But like many artists, I was raised to believe art was just a hobby, not a career. My parents, Chinese immigrants and business owners, emphasized financial stability above all else, so I followed the “practical” path.

In 2010, I earned a degree in biotechnology and started working in the sciences. While I was good at it, I never felt truly fulfilled. I jumped between different jobs—biotech, car sales, mortgage sales, and freelance marketing—but no matter what I did, I kept coming back to art.

The turning point came when I attended my first comic convention as a fan. Seeing independent artists selling their work—on their own terms, without needing a big studio or publisher—was a revelation. If they could do it, why couldn’t I? That was the moment I realized I needed to stop treating art like a side thought and start building something real.

What I Create & What Sets Me Apart

My art focuses on fantasy themes with a dark aesthetic, often featuring skulls, witches, devils, eerie environments, and symbols of transformation. My work isn’t about glorifying darkness—it’s about finding meaning and beauty within it. I draw a lot of inspiration from memento mori philosophy, which reminds us that life is fleeting and should be lived fully.

I offer:

Fine Art Prints & Canvas Prints – Large-scale, high-quality prints of my artwork, perfect for collectors.

Enamel Pins & Collectibles – My Memento Mori pin series, as well as other dark fantasy-themed pins that resonate with my audience.

Convention & Online Sales – I vend at comic cons, oddities shows, and Renaissance fairs, where people can see my work in person.

Custom Art & Collaborations – Occasionally, I take on projects where my aesthetic aligns with a client’s vision.
What sets me apart is my ability to merge fine art quality with storytelling and symbolism that deeply resonates with people. My work isn’t just decorative—it’s thought-provoking, often sparking conversations about mortality, resilience, and personal transformation.

The Problems I Solve & Why My Work Resonates

One of the biggest things I hear from my audience is that my work helps them process emotions they struggle to put into words. Many people are drawn to my art because it acknowledges themes of loss, grief, and change in a way that feels cathartic rather than hopeless.

I’ve had customers tell me my Memento Mori paintings helped them honor lost loved ones. Others say my paintings help them embrace their own growth and transformation. That’s what makes this work fulfilling—knowing that my art is meaningful to people on a personal level.

Beyond the emotional connection, I also solve a practical problem: high-quality dark fantasy art can be hard to find outside of mass-produced pop culture. My work provides something unique for collectors who want original, independent art with depth.

What I’m Most Proud Of

One of my proudest achievements is my Memento Mori collection. It started as a series of paintings exploring life, death, and impermanence, and it evolved into enamel pins, prints, and a whole visual narrative. I didn’t expect how deeply it would resonate with people, but seeing how it helps others process their own experiences has been incredible.

On the business side, I’m proud of the risk I took in building my own convention art display system. Instead of spending a small fortune on a premade setup from one of the popular display panel brands out there, my dad and I built one from scratch over a brutal summer, investing time and effort rather than money I didn’t want to spend. That display is as good (if not better) than the official ones and has become one of my strongest assets at conventions—it helps my work stand out and has directly contributed to my success at events. I get comments from other artists about it, that it’s the best DIY panels they have ever seen. I even wrote a 47 page PDF guide for other artists to build their own, complete with photos, blueprints, measurements, cost calculations, and instructions. It’s slotted to publish on my website later this year.

What I Want People to Know About My Work & Brand

It’s for those who embrace both the light and dark. My work isn’t about doom and gloom—it’s about transformation, resilience, and finding beauty in the cycle of life.

I create for people who want something beyond mainstream fantasy art. If you love gothic elegance, alchemy, or memento mori themes, my work is made for you.

I care deeply about quality. Every print, pin, and product I create is designed to be something I’d want to collect myself. I don’t offer products that I personally wouldn’t use or keep around.

My art is meant to spark thought and conversation. If it makes you feel something—whether it’s inspiration, nostalgia, or introspection—then I’ve done my job right.

At the end of the day, I want my art to be more than just visuals—I want it to be meaningful. If my work resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me on this journey.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best way for society to support artists and foster a thriving creative ecosystem is to buy directly from them and actively engage with their work. Independent artists, writers, and creators are producing incredible, meaningful work that often doesn’t receive the exposure it deserves due to the way algorithms and advertising systems prioritize mass-market content.

Beyond purchasing, support can take many forms: sharing their work with others, leaving thoughtful reviews, engaging with them on social media, and advocating for policies that fund and protect the arts. Communities and institutions can also play a role by creating more opportunities for artists—such as grants, local exhibitions, and fairer wages for creative labor.

Most importantly, when you find an artist whose work resonates with you, follow that connection. Subscribe to their newsletters, attend their shows, commission custom work, and champion their creations. Individual support may seem small, but collectively, it can sustain and empower artists to keep creating.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A major lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that art is just a hobby—not a viable career. Growing up, my parents reinforced this belief, even as they paid for my drawing lessons in middle and high school. Talk about mixed signals. So, like many others, I followed the “practical” path, earning a degree in biotechnology in 2010 and stepping into a stable career in the sciences. But despite the security, it never felt right. Art was always in the background—whether it was designing logos, making posters for friends, or just sketching in my free time.

Over time, the disconnect between what I was doing and what I truly wanted became impossible to ignore. I left science and cycled through various jobs—car sales, mortgage sales, freelance marketing—trying to make ends meet. But no matter where I landed, my mind always returned to the same question: How can I make a living through my creativity?

The real turning point came when I attended my first comic con. Seeing independent artists thriving—creating, selling, and making a living on their own terms—was eye-opening. It shattered the idea that success in art had to come from big studios or traditional gatekeepers. If they could do it, why couldn’t I? That moment forced me to unlearn the limiting belief that art was secondary and start treating it as the foundation for my future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.josephzhou.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephzhouart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josephzhouart/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@josephzhouart
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/josephzhou.art

Image Credits

Lisbeth L. Lopez