Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zella Horton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Zella, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Coming from a family of artists, I have always had a propensity for all things creative. I was pretty much self-taught before high school, but then I began to take weekly lessons with my art teacher. It was around this time that my love for and skill in art started to grow more, however, I was still not making new work very quickly or frequently. Becoming an art major in college was a huge turning point for my work since I was constantly immersed in the subject. Pieces that used to take me months to create were being completed each week. Looking back, I wish I understood that not every piece of art I make has to be a masterpiece; the process and learning aspect of creating is often more important than clinging to perfection. This lesson is one that I am still learning each time I make a piece of art, but I think it is invaluable and will make me a better artist as I continue to grow.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who do not know me, my name is Zella Horton! I am from Charleston, South Carolina, and I am currently studying art at Clemson University. Art has always been my passion and my calling, and I am thrilled to be starting my creative career. My art is usually done in oil paint and leans towards realism stylistically, but I am still in the process of finding my niche, and I enjoy experimenting with all sorts of techniques and mediums. The work I sell is usually commissioned; I think there is something very special about working in tandem with a client to make their vision come to life. Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone moved by my art, and it is a privilege for me to touch people’s lives in this way! I take great pride and pleasure in what I do, and I give my all to any piece I create. I think that the way I care about my art is what sets me apart from other people, and I always treat each piece with the utmost care and attention. I hope that as I continue to work as an artist I find a subject matter and aesthetic that speaks to me and others, and I am excited to see what the future holds for me!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I feel like working as an artist is the fulfillment of who I have been growing up to become my entire life. Even though the work is often difficult and very time-consuming, the hours seem like nothing to me. Making art brings me so much joy, and there is no better feeling than knowing that I am setting myself up to have a job I genuinely enjoy while also making a positive impact on the lives of others. It is an honor to have so many people who believe in me and are helping me make a successful career out of what I love, and I hope to give back to everyone in some way as I continue to make my art.

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

In my experience, there seems to be a view held by many people that creatives and artists are not only unable to be successful but are also unnecessary as a whole. However, the importance of artists and their work spans far beyond home decor; so many aspects of the modern world today are visual. From buildings to online media to common everyday objects, almost everything a person interacts with contains some element of aesthetic design. This fact is for good reason since art has a heavy impact on people’s perceptions, psyche, and beyond. I think that society needs to respect what art does for people because, in my opinion, quantity typically does not outweigh quality. Art and design are what give a soul to the environments that people are in, and I would love to see more people understand this by supporting artists and respecting the work that they do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: zellas.art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zella-horton-7ba241336?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app