Hi everyone!
Welcome back!
Today, we bring you a very special artist who promotes self-love and creates body positivity artwork!! This amazing is @zaftig.art !!
Like all other art lovers, when we started Instagram, we immediately fell in love with various artists on Instagram. There is SO MANY with SO MANY different styles!!! You can really get lost in all the amazing art on Instagram!
But, @zaftig.art always stood out to us! We always came back to see what new piece they had done!
We also became such big fans that we purchased a piece for a friend! Below is the image of the piece we bought but, it is also important to mention that this was one of the first artist shout outs we did on Instagram!! As a matter of fact, we had not considered animating yet! Below is the beautiful piece:
Below is our amazing interview!:
1. What is your IG account? Do you have any other social media accounts for your art?
I’m @zaftig.art ! my page has daily stories featuring fat positive art/artists and fat art by me every friday!
2. What was the first art piece that you remember impacted you and inspired you to make art?
I started reading and coloring Calvin & Hobbes books when I was six and loved the expressions, the colors, and the way Watterson drew landscapes and nature. He inspired me to make my own kind of comics.
3. When do you realize you enjoyed making art or when did you start making art?
As a kid, I was always doodling on anything I could find, paper, the sidewalk, walls – I couldn’t get enough!
In the fifth grade, I knew I wanted to be a “cartoonist” and I guess now I kinda am!
4. What style of art did you start off with and is it the same today? What else have you tried? What are your favorite styles of art?
The art style I had was rough, I drew boxy people and always had thick suffocating panels.
A lot of time and practice got me to where I am now, creating exclusively in watercolor and with much rounder folks!
5. What is your process like making a new art piece?
Once I get my hands and brain to agree on a time to get my artistic wiggles out, I start with a pencil sketch, obsess over how difficult hands are, ink with a thin micron, add watercolors, and ink again for bolder outlines.
The one rule I put on myself is to try one thing new or do one thing different so that I never get complacent with myself.
6. Which is your favorite art piece you have made and why?
“Unhealthy =/= Unworthy”!
It’s a piece about how unhealthy people deserve respect, a stance I hold near and dear to my heart.
7. When did you decide to start a social media account for your art? Were you nervous? Excited?
It was earlier this year!
I had posted some small pieces on my personal page, but realized I wanted a separate space to work on my art.
It was terrifying putting myself out there, but with the support of pals and my partner, I just went for it and kept posting my doodles.
It’s been a wild few months but I’m so happy I got over that fear.
8. How has your experience been with your social media account(s) for your art? What are the positive outcomes? Is there any negative outcomes?
It’s been a real humbling and touching experience to be among other artists on Instagram.
I am most grateful to the many fat positive artists who put themselves out there, creating representation for those who need it most.
I love that I found a welcoming and critical community and I get to be a part of it! They keep me on my toes and keep me inspired and it’s my pleasure to promote their work every day!
The only negative experience comes from having to block fetishists and trolls, but it’s necessary to ensure the safety of the people who just want to see art.
9. What advice would you give any artist out there who are considering sharing their art on social media?
One: put yourself out there, even if it’s anonymously! Your unique voice and style deserve to be seen!
Two: make art when YOU want and do it in a way that makes YOU happy.
Three: experiment with your style! who knows what you’ll discover about your art preferences!
