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

Zuzu, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you 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?

I’m excited to say that I’m currently a full-time creative artist and it’s a dream come true. I’ve been working as a freelance visual artist and muralist for over a decade and although it was not all rainbows and sunshine, it’s all worth it.

My artistic journey began in high school when I fell in love with graffiti and street art. I began experimenting with photographing street art, creating digital artwork in college at UT, and eventually spray painting. To be honest, I wasn’t very good at painting when I first started, but through years of practice and patience, I’ve cultivated my own style and now run a successful small business.

When I started painting murals, I would paint anything that I could get my hands on. I did a ton of work for free. Hell, I’d even buy the materials to paint a wall for someone. I believe this is an important part of the process. Think of it as an internship before you get hired with a company. I spent years learning new techniques and working with different mediums until I learned what I really loved doing, which for me, is large-scale spray paint murals and mixed-media canvas work.

Being an independent artist is not always glamorous and it’s definitely not easy. It’s a constant grind with lots of challenges that you have to overcome. It’s not just about creating pretty artwork. There’s the business side of being a creative as well. People don’t always take this into consideration when hiring an artist for a project. As a visual artist, your art is your brand and you have to operate as a business to stay relevant and financially secure in today’s competitive art market. Artists have to advertise themselves, run their social media accounts, collect content, create contracts for clients, streamline their process, network, file taxes, and figure out how to use the other side of our brain for accounting. In my humble opinion, these are just some of the things that you have to put time into to thrive as an independent creative.

If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve learned so many valuable lessons the hard way. I’m still learning everyday. Perseverance and dedication to my craft has led me to where I am today. My journey as an artist has just begun and I look forward to what’s still to come.

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?

For those of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting or connecting with, I’m Zuzu! I define myself as a contemporary mixed-media artist and muralist based in Austin, TX. My artwork is recognized for its vibrant colors, abstract design work, and positive messaging. I love to paint BIG and appreciate creating art in public spaces where it can be enjoyed by everyone.

I painted my first graffiti piece in the streets of ATX in 2008, which stemmed from my fascination with graffiti and skate culture in the early 2000’s. A few years later, I completed my studies at the Creative Advertising Program at University of Texas at Austin in 2010. I continued spray painting after graduating and further explored my passion for digital art and creative direction. Since then, I’ve combined my love of art, business, and design, working with brands like Rolling Stone, Lexus, Neiman Marcus, SXSW, Budweiser, Facebook, Red Bull, Fender, and W Hotels.

I currently operate my business under Pink Hair Productions LLC and have a small but fierce team that help me in my creative endeavors. I believe in the power of collaboration and community. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the years that I spent working with creative organizations like Mindzai Creative, the HOPE Campaign, and SprATX. Working with these collaborative communities helped me to cultivate the skills that I use today in my business.

I’m honored to have been voted ‘Austin’s Best Muralist’ by the Austin Chronicle in 2021 and 2022 and I’m a proud member of the Board of Directors for the HOPE Campaign, an Austin based nonprofit 501(c3) supporting visual artists and musicians through community programming and projects.

You can check out my work on instagram @zuzubee and www.ihavepinkhair.com

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being an artist is freedom. Freedom from the ordinary and the expected. Being creative is a process of healing and a way to digest life’s highs and lows. It takes deep care and unapologetic self-expression to create from the heart. Tapping into the power of art is wildly fulfilling and makes all the hard work worth it.

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

Throughout the years of being an artist, there were times when I was told that being a full-time artist wouldn’t be a sustainable career. People encouraged me to be more traditional and to have a back-up plan, or focus on a more stable job. Some said that my dreams were too big and I needed to be more realistic. Others told me that I’d never be successful or that I wasn’t “a real artist”.

Words and opinions can be hurtful and can push you off of your desired path. I had moments of weakness when I fed into this negative mindset that I wasn’t good enough and didn’t deserve to be successful. However, deep down I knew that I was capable AND deserving of even my wildest dreams. I’ve always believed that we have the power to create whatever life we dream of. I had to unlearn the negative self-talk and stop listening to people who didn’t have my best interest in mind. I had to re-write my story and say “fuck it, I got this”, and I haven’t looked back since. Now I believe in myself fully and know that I am capable of anything that I put my mind to. I don’t let anyone stand in the way of what I want in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ihavepinkhair.com
• Instagram: @zuzubee

Image Credits
Naedaze (@naedaze) Viktor Cepeda (@vcvideography) Luis Malagon (@_luismalagon_)