We were lucky to catch up with Stormi Zezotarski recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stormi , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
The short answer is, you don’t – you just pretend you’re already what you’ve always wanted to be; Before you know it- you ARE exactly that.
The long answer, is it took years to just simply do, and to be.
The greatest advice I’ve ever received as an artist was “Do the job you want before you have it.” And that’s what I had to force myself to do. Even when I worked primarily as a server, I had to physically make a schedule for myself and label it “my other job” even before I made any money. It was 10 am to 3 pm Monday- Friday that I’d get up and draw, post, network, and build my online shop. Then of course go to my serving job. The serving job became a gig, and gradually I was selling work at Artist Alley tables, regularly packing online orders, and working on commissions more than I was even waiting tables. The voice in my head never left that I was “an imposter” or that “I’m not an artist” but I told everyone I was, and that I had my second job to go to even before I was. It goes to show that we are stronger than imposter syndrome, and we are only what we conceptualize ourselves to be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have always had a love for art- I think many people do more than those who don’t- it’s just rare we get the opportunity to make something of it. I grew up with extremely supportive parents and even after dropping out of three different colleges, they didn’t let me fall without pushing me to get back up. The last school was to pursue an animation degree, in which Covid ended up closing it down midway through. Afterwards, I redirected my attention to illustration work and character art. Particularly fantasy. This is where I found a boost of success- illustrating projects for DnD players and contractual work for local indie game studios. I continued to pursue fantasy and character art- signing up for artist Alley tables at Fan Fusion, Game On Expo, Mad Monsters Party, and local popups. In the mean time I’ve expanded to making content on YouTube, opening more intricate commission slots, and finding new ways to present my work. Currently, I’m working on RPG box sets, where the buyer can pick their character, receive a keychain and standee of said character, sticker set, have their character’s story on a scroll, and customize the actual keepsake box it’s all packed in. The most extensive and customized DnD commission I could offer, essentially. I’ve also just released my new “Lovethirsty” series for the Halloween season. I put a “romantic” spin on classic horror icons, including stickers and prints.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think about this all the time- I’m leaving my 20’s soon, and I just wish I knew everything then that I know now.
1, Networking and promoting matters so so so much. I underestimated this part of the journey and kept to myself most of the time. I didn’t pay much mind to the art community I was surrounded by and didn’t realize what I was missing out on, and how that would stunt my growth.
2. Learn EVERYTHING. Even contemplating starting a business seemed daunting at first, so I ignored literally every aspect of the “business” part and focused on the art, hoping everything else would just magically happen. It was silly, and I shouldn’t have let my anxiety get the best of me. I have to wear so many hats. I’m my social media manager, stock person, consultant, artist, tax person, etc. And unless you pay someone to do it all for you- you cannot have a business without all those skills. I didn’t want to learn them because they seemed scary, now I’m having to learn them now- way late in the game. Don’t make this mistake.
3. ADAPT. Instagram isn’t what it used to be. The algorithm is garbage and my following is so much harder to grow with all the new developments. AI is now a threat to the art industry and has destroyed many creative jobs- Covid shook the whole world. There are and have been so many obstacles that have changed the way we have to do business in the creative world- and I was stubborn for so long, until I couldn’t afford to be. I had to start making reels, showing my face on camera, approaching my audience differently, investing in Etsy and Shopify, etc. It’s okay to admit that everything you know is changing and now maybe.. you don’t know. We will forever be learning, don’t cut yourself off from new knowledge just because something worked for you before.
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?
I’ve had family shake their heads at my parents, urging them to encourage me to pursue a “real” career. I’ve had parents of friends say to mine “yeah but what does she ACTUALLY want to do with her life?” When my highschool AP art teacher told me to go pursue something other than art, I was encouraged to shake it off and keep drawing. The most impactful thing my parents have ever done, is simply push me to hang in and never give up. It’s sounds so anticlimactic, but they are most of the reason I’m doing what I’m doing. When I was a kid I couldn’t wait to get home from school and show them all the things I drew. I have had many doubts throughout my young adulthood, and my father would always say “your an artist, this IS your main job. You can’t forget that”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://icednitro.carrd.co/
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/icednitro
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@icednitro?si=lFQJc7gmjhUr6gxx
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
