Zion Breathes Life Into Digital Art
2017 is ripe with change and nothing signifies that reality more than this week’s Presidential inauguration. Welcome and congratulations President Donald J. Trump. Hopefully, every one of us will remain open to the possibilities for our nation. In my experience, much good can come from doing this.
It is a mindset that has allowed me to overcome the many obstacles that stood between me and my appreciation, or dare I say “love”, for digital art. Admittedly, it is only recent that I grew to embrace digital art as a true art form -- so misunderstood was the entire process and ‘reason’ by me. Then, something unexpected happened. I was approached by a young digital artist whose work blew me away. Her name is Christine Zion and her surname appropriately represents the magnitude of the artistic gift she has been given.
A French native and Canadian transplant, Christine Zion pulls passion from her soul and digitally transforms it into masterpieces that combine tradition with innovation and an energy that makes art lovers marvel with disbelief. No wonder, the global film industry rents her pieces, regularly. If you haven’t already seen one positioned somewhere in the background of a favorite movie, I’d take the opportunity to see one now as well as read her interview below.
Share your personal mantra.
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” -- Pablo Picasso
Provide a bit about your personal and professional background.
I was born in France and lived almost all of my life in Paris. I was born an “artist” but in the period that I was raised, most parents decided the future professions of their children. Fortunately, now a days, more children have that choice. Anyway, during my life, I never stopped creating.
In 2007, I moved to Vancouver BC and happily embraced the Canadian culture and way of life. As the French say, I now enjoy the life -- "Joie de vivre". Finally, my dream came true. I embraced my life as an artist. I chose not to paint because there were too many painters in the art world, in my opinion. So, I looked for something unique and different. I found Digital Art to be very interesting and attractive to me. It took me a few weeks to create my first digital piece and since then, I’ve learned something new everyday. Some of my artwork can take over a year to create, until I fully reveal and recreate what is in my head.
Do you believe that artists are born, made or both? Explain.
A lot of people are born artists but they don't realize this until an unexpected happening reveals it to them. I was born an artist. For years, my teachers tried to convince my parents of that truth but were unsuccessful. My parents did not consider art to be a proper profession. They wanted me to follow a more conventional career path so that I may have more marketable opportunities overall. They paid for a very expensive education at a private school for this, where I studied business and finance.
Talk about your art.
My art is from the photos I have taken around Vancouver and British Columbia -- arising from my love for my city of Vancouver and my region of British Columbia. I mix “nature” photography with digital imaging. My contemporary compositions are characterized by large sections of layered colors in abstract styles. I express my feelings through my art. My creative abstract artwork is available in limited edition prints.
Share where you believe you are in your artistic life cycle.
The Digital Art industry is not yet understood of fully appreciated. It is still very young. That said, my passion and love for this medium can be seen in every piece I do and my audience recognizes this. I believe, the Digital Art industry will “get there”. Not only is interest growing but the tools that are available to create Digital Art are becoming more sophisticated. Digital Art can now be printed on different materials such as canvas, brushed aluminum, glass, Plexiglas, Duratan, ceramic, etc. I have created my artwork with the texture of a hand-painted painting; so printed on canvas, it looks exactly like a traditional painting. I prefer my artwork to be printed on canvas because of the texture it offers.
Where is your work sold?
I sell my art all over the world. I also rent my art to the film industry.
Finish your sentence, "I find most of the people who buy my work _____________."
I find most of the people who buy my work are forward-thinking and visionaries.
Share the names of some of your favorite artists. Explain why you like their work.
I appreciate and admire all artists. Of course I love Picasso because he was so unbridled and bold. Nothing stopped him from creating something different and new. Kandinsky, because his personality and work fueled the modern art movement. Monet, due to the magical way he used light in his paintings. Vincent Van Gogh, for the way he breathed life into his art through color and landscape. The list continues and is quite long.
Do you have a social cause or cause-based organization you contribute to?
I love children and have volunteered at children’s hospitals since I was eighteen years-old. I’ve helped the homeless as well - in association with many organizations as well as on my own. I’ve found that “helping” brings me more joy than I can possibly give back. We are only here for a short time. We should use it to help, love and care for others.
When all is said and done, how would you like to be remembered?
As a person and artist who did what she did using all of her passion and love.
Suffice-it-to-say, as we enter into a new realm of leadership, one that has already taught us to “never say never”, I urge you to do the same with all variations of digital art but especially Christine Zion’s creations.
And for those of you who just can’t bring yourself to celebrate the former, moving your digs to Canada in response will do you the added benefit of being closer to the lady artist, herself -- saving you on shipping fees. At least that’s something.
Many thanks to Christine Zion for making this interview possible