We were lucky to catch up with Zaine Vaun recently and have shared our conversation below.
Zaine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I have been very fortunate with my ability to make a living off of many creative endeavors throughout my life. From ceramics to natural dyeing and a few other things in between, I have been able to find an outlet for sales and had people cheering me on. My most recent career shift to focus on Design and Illustration has been no exception! Besides being lucky enough to have a very supportive family and friends, there are a few keys to my success as a person making money off creative avenues. First, I go deep. Whatever creative passion I have, I want to learn everything about it as quickly as possible. That drive to learn and explore is something that I believe people pick up on. If you’re excited about what you are doing, others will be, also! Secondly, that excitement about a topic is something that drives connection. I believe I can contribute a lot of my success to tapping into the community around that interest or medium and making sure I have something to offer that community. Being around people that share passions drives and encourages creativity, plus you will undoubtedly meet mentors that shape your career. Lastly, being confident. If you present yourself confidently and believe in what you can do, doors will open. Say yes first, and figure out the rest later!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Design offers me a unique opportunity to shape the world around me and connect and collaborate with people on all sorts of challenging and enriching projects. I have spent my life exploring different mediums, as I believe most creative and artistic people do. Yet, finding a home in the graphic design and illustration community nourishes my desire to create with a distinct purpose for others in a way I find fulfilling.
As a designer, I focus on creating work that feels authentic, balanced, and timeless. I love nature, and my work often reflects the beauty I see in the natural world. I am freelancing, and I enjoy the variety of projects I work on. Branding, packaging, apparel, murals–– you name it! I am always stoked to meet new challenges and solve problems creatively!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part of being a creative person is twofold. One aspect is the feeling of accomplishment when I can create something that I see in my mind or others see in theirs. Another is the warm and fuzzy feeling of brightening someone’s day. Creating things that people use to make their world prettier or designing something that brightens up a store shelf feels big.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
On a macro level, a thriving creative ecosystem starts with how we educate and raise our children. Every creative mind on the planet began as a curious and playful child. If we give our children the room to explore and encourage them to push the boundaries of their imagination, we will never run short of artists and creatives.
But on a more micro level, the best way to support the arts is to support the artists. Buy real art from local artists for your home. Go to markets and galleries and purchase things from people you connect with. And nowadays, social media is a massive part of our individual success. As they say, “Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe”!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zainevaun.com
- Instagram: @zaine.vaun
- Twitter: @zaine_vaun
Image Credits
Ian Blue