Check Out Zoe LeDonne’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoe LeDonne.

Hi Zoe, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like many people, I started drawing and painting at a young age (my parents still have some of the first paintings that I did when I was a toddler that I named “The Sad Cats”). I always had other interests other than art. I started playing piano at age 5 and took an interest in science and sports growing up. I eventually went to Colorado State University as an Undecided Student because I truly did not know what I wanted to pursue.

I chose to work towards a double major in Fine Arts (Painting) and Biological Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology). I had high hopes of becoming a scientific illustrator at one point during school, but I started to lean towards the expressive side of art-making as I finished my degrees. At the moment, I work part-time as an artist and part-time at an art supply store. Being around so many different materials have only broadened my interest in art-making.

I feel like that undecided student again, with interests in oil painting, mixed media illustration, and making comic books. I have worked a lot over the past few years to become a part of my local art community and have participated in group shows, fundraiser events, and drawing groups. I am now pursuing emerging into the greater arts scene and just taking things one step at a time. I seek to continue learning every step of the way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a pretty bumpy road, to be honest. Once I was out of university, the lack of structure made it more difficult to focus. I’m sure many people can relate to feeling a bit lost after this point in their lives. It has been difficult to take risks in my career because I don’t have the most finances to fall back on in case something goes sideways.

By the end of 2019 though, I felt that I hit a groove in my painting process, in my local community, and had a plan for the next year. Well, we know what happened next. At the moment I feel like I’m finally out of a time warp of sorts and back on track to reaching my goal of making a living from my art practices. I feel like things are looking up though.

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 consider myself a painter and illustrator. I enjoy creating work that revolves around self-reflection and struggles with anxiety, and loneliness growing up. Right now I’d say I’m known for my self-portraits and the characters that show up in my illustrative pieces. I am most proud of the short comic that I self-published in 2021 after years of saying that I’d make a comic.

I am currently working on the next portion of that comic which should debut digitally in April during TCAF (Toronto Comics and Arts Festival). My illustrative style is what sets me apart from others. My style has been shaped by the works of Hayao Miyazaki, John Singer-Sargent, and years of observing fun facial expressions from the people around me.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that people should be able to take risks to be able to grow in their fields. I don’t think that risks need to be dangerous or harmful in any way, but more in line with pushing past your comfort zone. By doing this, you can view your world or work from a different angle and be able to use your new experiences to shape yourself.

Now, am I a risk taker? No. I have always hated taking risks and the discomfort that comes with them. I have also always felt that the risk of failure was too much to handle as opposed to the reward. As I get older though, I am more open to taking risks and see the value in pushing yourself, within reason of course.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zoeledonne.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zmledonne/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-ledonne-165a9a145/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/pilotgloomithy
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/zoeledonne