Rising Stars: Meet Ozziel Inzunza of Gilbert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ozziel Inzunza.

Hi Ozziel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story begins in the small town of Yuma, AZ. Since I can remember, I’ve always found it easier to express myself through pen, paper, and my own creative ideas than through spoken words. As a kid, I sketched the things that fascinated me: dinosaurs, nature, the universe. While many of my peers were absorbed in card games and video games, I was the kid who wanted to expand on what already existed. Watching TV shows or playing games would spark my imagination to create my own cards, monsters with unique designs and backstories, or entire comic books complete with scripts and dialogue.

Alongside this creativity, I was naturally introspective and philosophical. I often asked big questions about life, the universe, and the afterlife, questions that sometimes made adults uncomfortable. But my curiosity was encouraged by my mother, who would challenge me by playing devil’s advocate or making up math quizzes inspired by the things I asked.

School was a place where my creativity thrived. When we were assigned to write a story or a poem, I dove in while others hesitated. As I grew, my creative interests multiplied: YouTube videos, photography, dance, drawing, even attempts at writing music. I would dance battle classmates, try to become the top YouTuber at school, and once, in seventh grade, I was invited to sing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” with a band during the talent show. I was disqualified for not auditioning with them, but I still sang my heart out in front of the whole assembly.

High school and college kept my creativity alive, but it wasn’t until after graduation, during the COVID-19 quarantine, that things truly took off. I began reading more than ever, and my motivation surged. Since then, I’ve been a dancer, writer, artist, poet, and philosopher. In recent years, I’ve refined my passions, with writing and art emerging as my primary forms of expression.

As an artist, I’m drawn to philosophical and existential themes. Beyond my own canvases, I conduct “studies” where I draw historical figures live on TikTok while sharing their significance. These projects sharpen my skills while allowing me to educate. One day, I hope to channel that love of learning into becoming a university professor.

As a writer, my books—whether novels, poetry, short story collections, or philosophical works—grow from the same dreams and questions I had as a child. At the heart of it all is my desire to showcase the diversity of human thought and to educate others on the history of ideas. That is the thread that connects my journey so far, and what’s to come excites me even more.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road to get where I am today. Like most artists, I’ve had to face the constant weight of criticism, both from others and from myself. That self-doubt can make the path feel rocky, and learning courage has been one of my greatest challenges as someone who thrives on creativity.

But the most difficult struggles are often the ones the world recognizes in name yet rarely sees in full—the quiet battles that shape a person from within. These are the roots of every creative expression. Life itself has been the hardest obstacle to navigate, whether through financial hardship, mental health challenges, personal loss, or strained relationships. And yet, it is precisely these struggles that have deepened my art and my sense of purpose.

For me, creativity is the reminder that life is worth living. The road may be uneven, but each obstacle I’ve overcome has become a reason to see the world as beautiful and worthwhile. Without hardship, we cannot fully understand or appreciate peace and beauty when they arrive.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am, first and foremost, an artist. I use artistic expression not only to share what I believe, but to help the world see itself from a new perspective. My two primary forms of expression are art and writing, each rooted in a deep love for ideas and beauty.

In my art, I’m drawn to philosophical themes. What sets me apart is my passion for blending influences from different golden ages of art—whether Renaissance, Cubism, Impressionism, or beyond. I study the great masters of history, not to imitate them, but to carry their spirit forward in my own work. My hope is to someday reach even a fraction of the mastery they achieved.

In my writing, I explore diverse perspectives and schools of thought. I consider myself both a writer and a poet. Many philosophers write in dense, academic language that can be difficult to digest. My approach is to make complex ideas accessible while weaving in poetic elements that elevate emotion and meaning.

One of my proudest accomplishments is writing four books in roughly a year. When I commit to something, I pursue it relentlessly until it’s complete. That persistence, I believe, is one of the qualities that sets me apart—alongside vision, humility, and confidence.

I live by a simple motto: never give up. I see life as a race against time, and if time defeats me before I achieve my dream, I trust that God had other plans. But I believe there’s no danger in persevering, while giving up carries the heavy weight of lifelong regret. I would rather die having given my all than die without trying.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
It might not come as a complete surprise once I say it, but what truly drives my creativity is my desire to become a polymath. I want to master multiple disciplines over the course of my life. Like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Benjamin Franklin, I believe that learning across many fields allows you to see the world from perspectives you’d never discover otherwise.

More than anything, I hope to be remembered as a thinker, a visionary, and someone who dedicated their life to spreading a love for learning. For me, creativity isn’t just about making art—it’s about expanding the mind and inspiring others to do the same.

Pricing:

• Poems and Letters: $9.99
• Reflections: $16.99
• The Confession: $7.99
• Collections: $10.99
• These are prices for all my current books.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ClassixCulture?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ill.mind.of.ozzy/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ill.art.of.ozzy

Image Credits
JLimon Visualz (For personal photos)
Myself (Canvases)