Check Out Aubrie Van Zandt’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aubrie Van Zandt.

Hi Aubrie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up with very creative parents. They encouraged us and helped us exercise our creativity throughout my childhood. When I was in High School, I was in every Art or Music class that fit into my schedule. After High School, the only thing I could think to keep doing was creating. I applied to art school and was accepted but felt it was more in loans than I felt was reasonable. Feeling like art was out of reach as a career, I worked years in retail, banking and the healthcare industries. I always felt like something was missing from my life, that I wasn’t living authentically. I started to meet more artists and learned their stories and understood it was possible to do something with art. I practiced and worked on my technique everyday after work and on my lunches at work in my car. I was lucky to meet some amazing people that gave me my first hanging art show at their salon Big Hairy Monster on Colfax and have progressed from there.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. There have been a lot of bumps along the way. Working full time as an Office Manager for an Optometrist was taking up a lot of my time. I was constantly feeling pulled one way or another. Like I had to give something up. I realized that although I was making good money as the office manager, I was having to put my dreams and my passions on the back burner. I knew that I had enough drive and determination and I am resourceful enough I will be able to make a career of my art when I put my all into it, so this year I made the choice to walk away from my steady paycheck. It is rather risky, especially during the pandemic but if not now then when?

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I focus primarily on ink illustrations but do branch out into other mediums at times. I like to try and use clean lines with stark contrast and the rare use of color. I find the most inspiration in nature, the macabre and vintage advertisements. I generally try to put my art on anything I can get paint or ink to stick on. Having done a series on plates from a garage sale, 7″ Vinyl that was too scratched to play or glass bottles that can become a hand-painted vase, I try to focus on things I can recycle. I want original art to be something anyone can own. Every little achievement feels huge to me as they come. I am excited to have art shows at some of my favorite places around Denver and I can’t express how much it means to have been supported like I have.

What makes you happy?
I’m a generally happy person. I recognize that I can find happiness in being content and finding small joys. This year we had to cancel so many life events and the big things I used to think made me happy. I had to kind of rewire my brain to look for the small moments and the little things that bring us happiness. Like a good meal, watching the clouds above us on a nice warm day or staring at the stars on a clear night in the mountains. Happy is a choice and I’m trying to choose it everyday by living authentically.

Contact Info:

• Email: vanzaytonarts@gmail.com
• Website: www.vanzaytonarts.com
• Instagram: @vanzayton
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanzaytonarts/
• Twitter: @vanzayton