Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zelda Morning Star. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Zelda, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I believe finding your purpose can sometimes be a lifelong thing, but once you have found the path to your purpose, it becomes a lot easier to follow. I’m still searching for that “holy grail” or whatever you want to consider the feeling of finding one’s purpose however I can definitely feel the connection with the path I’m currently pursuing.
The truth is, I think it’s more about the journey we embark on everyday than the destination we think we want to end up at. I think if you feel like you have already fulfilled your purpose, then you should probably stop while you’re ahead.
As an artist, I don’t think I’ll ever feel satisfied with my work- and quite frankly satisfaction isn’t the reason I do what I do. I’m not trying to be satisfied, I’m trying to be better than the artist I was the day prior. Of course there are times I feel proud and accomplished of my work, but to put yourself on a pedestal is to put yourself in a coffin. I want to create as much as physically possible in this life, and that requires a rather intense drive to do so. It’s very important to me to access my higher self in my artwork, and to cast aside my ego.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m an eccentric artist that likes to intertwine spirituality into my work! To me, tapping into creative channels is just as synonymous as tapping into spiritual channels, and I like to think art can be just as healing as magic can be.
Growing up I was always drawn to the arts, but after forcing myself to follow a more “normal” path in college due to outside pressures – my mental & physical health declined dramatically, causing me to have to make some major decisions and changes. I decided to leave college after I finished my first year and pursue my dream of tattooing. At this time I was apprenticing at a tattoo shop in Tempe for 66 hours a week (for no pay) and found myself growing sicker by the week. I left that apprenticeship with a lot of regret as tattooing was a path I felt very called to- however I was in such a dark place with my health that I made the decision to walk away at that time. This was the same time I found witchcraft and spirituality (age 19 about) and I found immense healing in energy work and spiritual practice. I became pretty obsessed with spirituality and read as many books as I possibly could on the matter. Learning the tarot was a major turning point in my mental health, and I now read professionally for others.
After taking a few months off to work on my health I found myself working full time at a coffee shop downtown Mesa, at this time I became very dedicated to painting. Years passed and I had always kept faith in my spirituality and art that one day the two would find a way to support me enough financially to be able to focus on them full time.
After customizing a pair of Dr.Martens boots a few years later I found a lot of luck in painting custom shoes for clients. This followed with custom bags, skateboards, helmets, and really any request I could manage to create. I became really fond of custom memorial pieces, where I would infuse passed on loved ones energy into objects for others.
After moving to Flagstaff, AZ last June with my husband and our two cats, I made the decision that I wanted to return to my dream of tattooing. This has been my recent focus, and I have plans to open up a private studio here in Flagstaff by the end of the year. I will have updates regarding this soon on both my website and instagram! I am still accepting custom shoe commissions this year however my slots are extremely limited. Be sure to hop on my website the first of every month to try to snag some customs! I am also always accepting spiritual readings, which are also booked through my website CORPSEY.COM!
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?
Three things I would recommend for those who are early on in their journey would be:
Be dedicated, but don’t take everything so seriously. Life can be incredibly comical if you let it.
You are not alone. Read that again. You are loved. You matter. Even if there is no one in your physical life you think that cares- there are so many angels & spirits around you sending you love constantly. They are always there, you just have to ask.
No ones opinion about you matters. Only the opinion you have about yourself does.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I think a lot of artists face humility early in their life when trying to express oneself artistically, and I think artists being of the more sensitive nature can sometimes seclude themselves when they feel judged for their work. This was something I faced heavily until the last couple years, and I genuinely believe a large part of me coming out of that seclusion is all because of my husband.
When I met my husband about five years ago, he truly showed me how it felt to not only be appreciated as a person, but as an artist. I never really felt I had that person in my life that had the same undying faith I myself felt in my artistry. It can be a really lonely path when you feel like all your hard work isn’t being appreciated or inspiring anyone.
Pretty early into our relationship I could feel my confidence in my work strengthening, which gave me the courage to share that work with the public. This led to Dr.Martens Official reposting a pair of my painted boots on instagram, which was the beginning of any support/recognition I had received in the artistic realm. I think it’s important to not need to feel validated in others opinions however I also think that being supported and loved can give someone immense power as well. It’s all a balance though I genuinely believe I am where I am today because of my husband’s beautiful and loving soul.
Contact Info:
- Website: corpsey.com
- Instagram: corrpsey
