Meet stormi zezotarski | Full-time Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with stormi zezotarski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi stormi, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I almost feel like that’s all my young adult and teenage life has ever been, honestly. And maybe part of that (in my younger years) comes from not fully understanding the gravity of the decisions I was making- thus not having a sense of fear rather than a “what’s the worst that can happen?” type of energy. When you’re young you feel invincible, and you haven’t quite experienced how the world works yet. Well, at least for myself, growing up in a home where imagination and the pursuit of big dreams was encouraged, even creative ones. I was lucky for that,

Through all the ups and downs, I’ve adopted the philosophy that I can either be miserable working a 9-5 that I never wanted, and spend the rest of my life wondering what if- or I could spend my life trying to cultivate the career I always dreamt of- because what if I DID succeed? If I stayed where I was out of fear, I never would have grown to the point that I’m at today, Both are hard, pick your poison ya know?

I have fallen flat on my face multiple times, don’t get me wrong, But for every time that I did, given up was almost a BIGGER risk than continuing to try, This was my whole life we are talking about. I’m not one for gambling- but it could be guaranteed a lose/lose situation, or I could do a little winning,

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always been fascinated with humanity, enamored even, Humans are so inventive, complex, profound, brilliant, and endlessly evolving, (Although you still couldn’t pay me enough to work the Starbucks drive thru at 5am ever again)
Artists are the biggest cultivators of human connection- be it through videogames that take us away from reality, or books and TV shows that connect us to the most vulnerable parts of ourselves. I personally love storytelling and have fallen in love in which all the ways art can be so visually and emotionally captivating. I always joke and say, when I was a child I was bored with the world I was living in, so I made my own and have been living there since. Not far from the truth.

I took several different serving jobs, which always allowed me to work part time for a fulltime living. On the side I would apply for small internships with local indie videogame companies and offer commissions on the side, Gigs didn’t stop at illustration though. I’ve been a tattoo apprentice, Henna artist, candy clerk, haunted house actor, banquet server, bartender, con vendor, and a Medieval Times “wench” (Still work there on weekends, all my friends work there and it’s pretty fun) So.. I’ve always had multiple streams of income, if one failed I would have a safety net. It felt like the only way to safely take risks, if that makes any sense.. I dropped out of 3 different colleges, and my last school shut down right before I graduated due to covid. So, most of my schooling came from youtube and skillshare.

One of my biggest takeaways is that no matter what you pursue in this life, it’s an infinite journey, If you think you’ve reached the top, you know you’ve stopped growing. You will never be successful and “live happily ever after.” Success isn’t measured by money in my book, but by fulfillment and personal growth. You can be successful, but the fairytale ending comes from knowing that there is no end, the obstacles don’t just stop coming, but the love for your craft shouldn’t either.. And if you love it, it will bring you joy even in a hard world.

It’s not easy, I’ve had to go to therapy, flip my entire mindset, and really practice discipline and take control of my negative thoughts. You can’t build a house without a foundation- accept the foundation being your drive and mental health, the house being your career. So build one with love! It’s too easy to conceptualize owning your own business, being an artist or musician, but actually doing it.. that’s where you really have to decide what’s important to you.

I want my brand to represent empathy, love, approachability, and a deeper dive into the human spirit,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the center of Downtown Phoenix, so I would absolutely recommend hitting some speakeasies. Maybe start with a cup of coffee and a local farmer’s market, it’s pretty easy to find them on weekends! Then a show at the Crescent Ballroom or Rebel lounge. We have a great night life and a solid music scene. Lots of venues and local bands. Afterwards hit Disco Dragon for dinner, and hit their speakeasy- FYPM.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been inspired by too many artists to count, such as Fiona Staples, Rhetaro Bloom, Gracie Lu, being some honorable mentions.

I’d be nowhere in this life without my parents, honestly. From the moment I picked up a pencil, they paid attention. There was never a “are you sure you want to do this with your life?” from them, Even if my roughest years of pursuit, they encouraged me endlessly- reminding me that they were behind me at every step. As a kid/teen I couldn’t wait to get home and show my parents all of the projects I was working on. And I know not everyone has that.. so I think I was beyond fortunate, I really owe it all to the safety I felt in being able to choose my own path in life,

On a side note though- I want to take the opportunity to give a big ol shoutout to my senior year AP art teacher, who told me that I should go pursue something else and “I’m never going to find work drawing in that cartoony style”
Thanks Ms. W. That was really great advice for an 18 year old that spent her whole life daydreaming of the day she could draw for a living. We love that, A+ teaching too,

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