Check out Zuleika Najar’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zuleika Najar.

Zuleika, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’m from a small town in Arizona called Nogales. I like to refer to myself as a creative or content creator. My biggest pastimes are spent pursuing my two biggest passion, music and style. Growing up I always had a big appreciation for music. I was a dancer growing up. I loved choreography. I practiced everything from ballet to salsa, hip hop, jazz. Once I came up to college, I kind of left that behind, but it’s still something that has shaped a big part of who I am and my artistic style. While residing in Tucson, I met my first and current love. Being that he is a Dj, I started attending so many concerts and was consumed by the dance music scene. Over the years I’ve loved digging for new music, and uncovering new genres and artists with friends! Up until a year ago, I started djing myself. It was an entryway for a whole new form of art for me, where I can now share my love for music through djing.

I also picked up a camera about two years ago and have started shooting as a model and photographer. I’ve met such an amazing community! I originally started doing photography as a means to express myself. I love the idea of being able to portray something through a picture. Whether it’s a feeling, emotion, or expression. As an artist, I think the most satisfying feeling is knowing you have evoked some type of feeling into your audience.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m currently a dj, model, and occasional photographer. My love for style has led me to uncover a new passion for photography where I’ve started collaborating with several local photographers. I want to put out there that you don’t need the best equipment, you don’t have to be 5’ 11” and you don’t need to have the perfect body to be a model to put your work out there. All you have to do is be “you” and have a passion and love for the art. I love posting photos that show the different ways photographers and I collaborate. I’m always interested in meeting new artists in the area, whether they’re producers, dj’s or photographers. There’s no rules to this, especially in today’s day and age, where we have an audience at our fingertips with social media. When I first started learning about photography, a friend told me, “There’s an appreciation for everything nowadays.” That resonated with me, where you shouldn’t let your fears keep you from creating. As creatives, we’re our biggest critics, but the best mindset you can have is to not be clouded by someone else’s judgment, that’s not your job, your job is to simply create.

It’s important to find your style and find what makes you unique in your craft. Anybody can be doing your same craft but how are you going to take all your experiences and tie them into your art. Your experiences shape your story and your story can be represented through your work. I like to keep this in mind anytime I’m pursuing a new project.

I’m still trying to evolve and shape my ideas as an artist. Especially as a Dj. If you want to stay relevant in the music industry, you have to start making your own music. And I think that’s something I would love to gear more towards to in the future.

The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Picking a creative path will come with financial struggles. I love the idea of being an entrepreneur, it sounds lucrative, and I come from a very entrepreneurial household but I don’t think it’s my first calling. I think every creative has thought about dropping everything at one point and relying solely on their craft, but to be realistic, it won’t pay the bills, immediately. By having a secure income, it makes my creative process a lot easier and stress-free. Yes, money doesn’t buy happiness but it makes the journey a little easier. When you’re free of financial stress, you can create and live more freely. Enjoy where this journey takes you and it’s not all about the money, fame or followers. Don’t let your ego get in the way, simply strive for progress and not perfection. Pursue your passions. The whole idea to this is to do what makes you happy. If you’re happy, you’ve already won. Allow money to come and go, but don’t let that element control you.

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?
I’m constantly posting all my collaborations on all my social media platforms. Primarily Instagram. Whether it’s my photography work or if I have an upcoming gig, I’m always alerting my followers on these platforms.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 5204709903
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @zleikntakespics
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zuleika.najarlopez
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/zuleika07

Image Credit:
Rycardo Bia, Gavin Imes, Carlos Pentecost

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