Check out Zane Frederick’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zane Frederick.

Zane, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
It feels as if my story is still being written and crafted as I continue to live this life. From the beginning, I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and have gotten the pleasure to know the state like the back of my hand. My humble parents raised me in such a creative, supportive environment where I had the freedom to be anyone I wanted to be and to always be my own best friend at the end of the day. When I was young, there used to be days where it felt like I didn’t have myself to go to. I was in the progress of figuring out my truest self, my sexuality, and proudly in 2013, I came out as gay.

Being a prideful member of the LGBTQ+ community makes me recognize how unique each individual is. It has allowed me to see life more fully and most importantly, understanding my privilege. I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by loving friends and family and to be given such a space where I can be creative and express myself without hesitation. I have my mother to thank for letting me be whoever I wanted to be as a child. She let my wild imagination run wild. I also have reading and writing to thank for the way I was brought up. I read poems, books, and short stories at a young age and was always so intrigued by the meanings and narratives that were illustrated. Especially at a more mature age, reading and writing has been there for me through every heartbreak, bruise, and magical moment ever felt.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My art is poetry, in every form. From the very beginning of my writing career, metaphors, similes, and simple one-liners always came to my mind, especially in the heat of a moment. My writing process is a mix of Sunday sit-downs with a pen and paper and sometimes frantic moments of getting out of the shower before I forget a line. I recall in the fourth grade being captivated by poems, especially for their rhyme schemes and simply the way they tell stories, but never thought of the impact it would have on me in my adolescence.

Towards the end of my high school career, that was when I really experienced the inevitable emotions and moments teenagers feel love, heartbreak, nostalgia, etc. As I experienced these emotions and situations, I found poetry to be the best outlet. It was almost natural in a way. I distinctly remember a metaphor coming to mind and I quickly writing it down, and ever since, poetry has become everything to me. It used to be a simple after school activity and hobby of mine, though now has become a more serious calling. I could not imagine life without poetry. It’s absolutely everywhere if you look hard enough.

I used to write solely for me, and most days I still do, but for the past few years, I’ve fortunately seen my words impact people positively. Once I became confident enough to share my work online, I had gotten tremendous feedback and words of gratitude that my poetry has helped others. The strangers complimenting me on the street and online for my work are what really guided me towards writing a book, to begin with. I wrote (he)art. for me, but also for you. When people read my work, I only hope they are filled with inspiration and even the slightest bit of hope that good will happen. That they will get through whatever trauma and tragedy, they are experiencing.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Arizona provides local artists with a plethora of outlets to showcase their work. Whether at events such as First Friday, or places such as Changing Hands Bookstore or any other establishment that supports local artists. Being an artist in today’s world is always going to be a challenge at first. It’s about finding your voice and your audience and how to make people listen to what you have to say. There are so many wonderfully talented artists out there that go under looked, however with the continued support of various Arizona outlets. I believe local artists will continue to have a voice in the community and hopefully be able to express their art louder in the future for more to hear.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My debut poetry book, (he)art. is available on Amazon both paperback and Kindle edition. People can also view my work through my Instagram, @zane.frederick; there are often times I’ll post new things because I need to just scream out the word I’m feeling that day. My work has also been featured in a number of online literary magazines including Dodging the Rain, Milk + Beans, Pulp Poets Press, The Tunnels and more. I usually will post any new literary magazine publications on my Instagram. Supporting me through social media and reading my book is always a warm, humbling feeling that I appreciate from each individual who shows their love. Knowing that my words make a difference to people is just another element that fuels my inspiration and drive to write and feel as much as I can in this life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zane-frederick.tumblr.com
• Email: zaneschech98@gmail.com
• Instagram: zane.frederick
• Twitter: zaneugh

Image Credit:
Zane Frederick

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