Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaine Vaun.
Hi Zaine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My path to becoming an illustrator and graphic designer has been one of exploration, trial and error, and, honestly, a bit of grit. No one is born with inherent skills, but some of us are born with the unstoppable urge to create. That can take many forms before we land on the tools of expression that suit us best. For me, that journey began as a child who would not stop drawing on herself and everything around her. I was raised with an entrepreneurial mindset and loved making and selling things my entire life. My favorite part was always the creation of those micro-businesses: the business name, the signs, and the pamphlets—what we now call “brand identity.” Once the business had come to fruition and everything was going smoothly, I would feel content and move on to the next thing.
Luckily, I have always been supported at every turn in my career which has given me the confidence to trust myself and try new things. My curiosity and willingness to dive headfirst into new ventures have allowed me to learn many things. I have been fascinated with the purpose and tangibility of clay objects, which brought me to woodfired ceramics. Being enchanted by the power of plants and the history of textiles brought me to natural dyeing and plant dye gardening. Along the way, I got a better insight into my process and purpose with every new craft I explored, adding to my toolkit along the way.
Then after years of fluttering around and playfully experimenting, I found myself needing some stability. I took a hard look at what I had learned and what wasn’t working for me. This made me realize I was burned out on making things to sell, and I was more inspired by working on bigger projects that focused on my expertise and skill. Now, I find balance in being creative with the limited restrictions in illustration and the more focused and refined approach needed in graphic design. I integrate aspects of everything I’ve done previously into my work today, and I am still constantly finding new things to explore within the fields.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I spoke before about grit, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been a relatively smooth road for me. I am incredibly fortunate to have a very supportive community that understands the value of creativity. I come from a family of artists, and my mother has encouraged me endlessly. Yet, there isn’t a tortured artist trope for nothing! Putting your work out there can take extreme vulnerability. Trying new things and putting in the hours to get good at something takes stubbornness and focus that must come from an internal source. External validation is a powerful but fleeting thing. To survive as an artist of any kind, I believe you have to have something inside that just won’t let you stop. That’s the key: just don’t stop.
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 illustrate the world through the lens of bright colors and bold lines, focusing primarily on nature. Regarding graphic design, I bring a playful personality and a timeless aesthetic, working hand in hand with clients to create something truly original. My current toolset has focused more on digital media, but I am also fond of painting with gouache and acrylic. I love tackling small forms and large forms, such as murals. No matter the tools or scale, I like my work to show evidence of the hand and to feel warm and familiar. I am known for my birds—I just can’t get enough of them! Luckily, I have a ton of inspiration since Texas is an excellent spot for birding.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I have two favorite parts of living in Austin. First, the access to nature is superb. I love all the options for hiking, swimming, and exploring the outdoors right here in the city limits and in the surrounding Hill Country. Second, I love that it still feels like a small town in many ways. Even though we have a quickly growing population, there seems to be a core to Austin that still feels very authentic to me. Oh, and I can’t forget about the delicious food!
For dislikes, I would say the traffic, but since I work from home and don’t have to deal with the worst, I will skip that. My least favorite part of Austin is that we aren’t on the ocean. I also wish the city was more progressive for environmental issues, was more walkable, and had better public transportation.
Contact Info:
- Email: hi@zainevaun.com
- Website: zainevaun.com
- Instagram: @zaine.vaun
- Other: https://www.behance.net/zainevaun
Image Credits
Ian Blue
