We were lucky to catch up with Zach Meyer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Zach, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I have never fully overcome imposter syndrome; I still struggle with it. In a way, it’s helpful to my artistic process. It pushes me to get better for fear of not being good enough. On the other hand, it can be unhealthy. I sometimes make significant strides in my career and don’t take the time to appreciate them, feeling that my artwork is never good enough. Things that help me combat imposter syndrome are Recognizing my achievements and realizing that I am lucky to have the career I have had in art. I intentionally hang my awards and published work in my studio as a reminder of what I have done. Second, I recognize that I am not alone; many successful artists I know struggle with this daily. Lastly, I try not to make perfection the goal, so I try my best to make perfect images, but I am slowly embracing the mistakes in my work and trying very hard to let go of perfection.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an award-winning artist and educator currently based in Portland, Oregon. I mostly make artwork for galleries, books, and magazines. And I teach part-time at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. I am lucky to get regular work as an artist; I am always busy with a project or gallery show preparation. Being an educator is rewarding. I can teach students what I wish I had learned and learn much from them in the process. I am most excited about helping students transition from school to real life. The most immense joy of being a teacher is watching students graduate and have careers in art.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Refrain from letting yourself determine the value of your work. Many artists are scared to reach out to a particular client or gallery for fear of rejection. And they lose any opportunity to start a career in what they love. Everyone is shown these successful artists on social media who hide how much work they put into promoting themselves. Ninety percent of my success has come from reaching out to people I want to work with. You only need a few people to believe in you to have a career. Getting over that fear of rejection shaped my career and helped my opportunities blossom.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My dad supporting my career and development as an artist. I am lucky not to have student debt, and my dad encouraged my interest and ability in art. He believed in my artwork and me when I was young and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I owe my career to his guidance and support.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
photo by Candice Rose
