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

Zi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

I earned my first dollar when a colleague asked to buy one of my paintings. At this point I had dedicated several years to honing my craft at a local art school. During one of these classes, a fellow student was captivated by my artwork and expressed a desire to own one of my paintings. This was a pivotal moment for me. I embraced the opportunity to share my art with others and agreed to sell the painting to my colleague.

I felt an indescribable sense of pride and accomplishment. That first dollar I earned represented not only the beginning of my journey as a paid artist but it was also validation of my talent.

Inspired by the positive reception and growing interest in my work, I felt confident to pursue my passion on a larger scale. I transformed a room in my home into a beautiful art studio, complete with easels, paintbrushes, and a welcoming atmosphere. I began offering art classes, providing guidance and support to aspiring artists of all ages and skill levels .

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

I’m very inspired by nature. It taught me to pay attention to the details no one else might notice, like the way a specific bird might flap its wings, or the particular way a tree might swing when the wind blows on its leaves. Observing nature taught me that there is beauty in everything, even mundane things one might overlook in their day to day life.

These days I focus on abstract art. It’s where I find the most freedom, harmony, and lightness. I take the emotions I feel when I’m inspired by nature and translate it into the traces, shapes, and colors in my abstract paintings.

My mission is to take viewers into their imagination. I want people to look at my art and use their intelligence and creativity to interpret what they see. I want to bring them back to themselves, to take them to the place inside where they will find the same grace, peace, and excitement that I feel when I look out at the natural world.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that my artistic aspirations were limited by the lack of references and support from my family and friends during my early years.

Growing up in a small city devoid of cultural institutions such as museums and galleries, I found myself in an environment where artistic pursuits were not valued or encouraged. The people around me had little interest or exposure to art, and there were no tangible references or cultural influences to leverage.

My perspective changed when I took my first art class in high school. It was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the power of creativity and self-expression. Despite the limitations of my surroundings, I discovered that art had the ability to transcend boundaries and ignite a fire within me.

This newfound exposure to art in a formal setting challenged my preconceived notions and made me realize that my passion for artistic expression was valid and worth pursuing. I began to seek out alternative sources of inspiration and education, exploring different art forms, artists, and art movements beyond the confines of my immediate environment.

The experience taught me the importance of self-belief, resilience, and the willingness to pursue my passion even in the absence of immediate external validation or encouragement. It reinforced the idea that true artistic expression knows no boundaries and can thrive even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My parents were very poor and lived a difficult life. They were not educated themselves, but they encouraged me to learn and attend school. My father was a dreamer like myself, and although he did not even know how to read, he was always by my side, helping me with school work and encouraging me to seek a better life.

I was a very creative child. I lived in my own world, in my imagination. And although I was always drawing as a kid, I did not know any artists. It was not until I took art classes in high school that I discovered that this was a true passion of mine. The classes were basic, but for the first time in my life I was surrounded by books and art materials.

Even though I had little encouragement to become an artist, my parent’s dedication to help me move forward in life inspired me to seek more classes and more opportunities to hone my artistic capabilities and seek a career in the arts. I did not grow up surrounded by art, but regardless, I took it upon myself to create what I yearned for as a child. Even after I moved to the US with limited English, I continued to attend art classes and continued to network with people to put my paintings in galleries.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zimoreira.com
• Instagram: Zimoreira_Art
• Facebook: Zi Moreira Art
• Youtube: @zimoreira2977

Image Credits
Zi Moreira Ricardo J Moreira