We were lucky to catch up with Zan Lee DuRoy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zan Lee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have wanted to be an artist as long as I can remember. I mean, I have always been a creative person, with my decor, my clothing, always making things with my hands, jewelry, carpentry, macrame even! But art itself always fascinated me. To make something beautiful and original. And when I started reading about artist, painters and the creative lives they lived, I knew that was for me.

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?

I grew up with limited resources and learned to “make something out of nothing”, using what I had or could afford to buy and repurpose it to make what I wanted, like taking a cheap dresser and painting a faux finish on it or “gilding” the edges to make it look like one I saw in a catalogue. This translated to clothing, jewelry, even art for my walls. . As I got older though, I stopped imitating and started developing my own style, in everything. Finally, a couple years ago, some friends expressed interest in purchasing some art I made for my own house, mostly the paintings that’s when I knew it was time to make the leap to become a working artist and start producing art for the public. It was very well received and so here I am today, showing my art in galleries, on my website, and soon to open an online art store.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, at this moment, is seeing other people connecting with my art. That moment when they feel something, when my art has touched their soul in some way., when it has given meaning or shape to something deep inside their minds. It doesn’t matter if they understood what I was trying to convey, what the painting represents to me, it’s all about their response to what they see in it. It’s a completely different way to connect with other people that goes beyond words. It’s like sending out unconditional love to the world and seeing the world feel it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Someday, I hope to be able to retire and turn all of my attention to my art, of course. Beyond that, I hope to create a body of work than other people will see and enjoy and say, “look, That is freedom, that is pure joy. She created that and put it out there.. She had passion and love and wanted to share it with the world.”

Contact Info:

• Website: Zanduroy.com
• Instagram: @rockstar.muse
• Facebook: Rockstar Muse

Image Credits
Jojodancer Studios