We recently connected with David Zolo and have shared our conversation below.
David , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I believe I found my life’s purpose through art, after more than 11 years of fully dedicating myself to it. As an artist, I’m able to express my emotions and share my experiences while representing Colombia in a positive light. Through my work, I hope to offer a fresh perspective and shift away from the negative narratives often tied to our past.
Art has also taken me on incredible journeys. I’ve traveled to 29 different countries and lived in places like Argentina, the U.S., France, Switzerland, and Germany. These experiences have given me a broader view of the world and deeply influenced my work. Meeting people from diverse cultures has enriched my art and my understanding of humanity.
But it’s not just art that has helped me discover my purpose. Reading, poetry, music, and meditation have been essential to my personal growth. Taking time to understand who I am has been crucial to recognizing my purpose. It’s about self-love and respect, which have allowed me to fully value my journey. These practices give me clarity, especially in times of uncertainty.
Finally, stepping out of my comfort zone and taking risks have been key to my growth, both as an artist and as a person. The more I challenge myself, the more I discover new sides of my creativity and purpose.
Art and literature have become the bridges that allow me to not only fulfill my own dreams but also to give back to others and proudly represent my country.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.
My name is David Zolo, and I am a Colombian artist with a unique artistic technique that I call “painting with roses.” My work revolves around using the delicate petals of roses as both a symbol and a tool to create vibrant, textured paintings that evoke emotion and inspire deeper connections with nature, love, and the human experience.
What excites me most about my art is its connection to the natural world. By using roses as my primary medium, I aim to communicate the beauty and fragility of life itself. Every rose petal that touches the canvas carries with it a sense of tenderness and impermanence, allowing me to express emotions that words often fail to capture. I believe that through this connection to nature, my art invites viewers to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the small, often overlooked moments in life.
What also sets my work apart is the cultural narrative behind it. As a Colombian artist, my art is not only about expressing my personal journey, but also about representing my country in a positive light. I strive to break away from the negative stereotypes associated with Colombia’s past by showcasing its beauty, its potential, and its resilience. Art has allowed me to travel the world, and through my travels, I’ve been able to share this positive message about Colombia with international audiences.
Beyond my own artistic work, I’m passionate about giving back to the community. In Colombia, I collaborate with organizations that support children facing difficult challenges, such as cancer. Through art workshops, I provide these children with creative outlets, allowing them to express themselves and experience joy, even in the midst of hardship. This has become one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career, and it aligns with my belief that art has the power to heal and bring people together.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding my artistic journey. I’m currently working on new collection called The Language of the Roses, that push the boundaries of my technique, and I’m planning to host several exhibitions in Europe and the United States to showcase my latest works. Additionally, I’m exploring collaborations with international brands and organizations, which will allow me to reach even more people through my art.
For those who would like to stay updated on my work, you can follow my journey through my website and blog at www.davidzolo.com, where I share my thoughts on art, creativity, and the stories behind each piece.
Thank you again for this opportunity to share my passion with your readers.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Perseverance: As an artist, especially one who works with an unconventional technique like painting with roses, perseverance has been essential. In the early stages, many people doubted my approach and didn’t believe it would work. However, through persistence, I was able to refine my technique and prove that my vision was not only feasible but also unique. My advice for those just starting is to embrace perseverance—there will be obstacles and moments of self-doubt, but if you stay committed to your passion and vision, success will follow. Don’t be afraid to fail; instead, see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
2. Creativity: Creativity goes beyond just the art itself. It’s about being innovative in how you approach your work, your brand, and even your business strategies. My technique of using rose petals as my primary medium was born out of a desire to find a distinct way to express emotions and tell stories through my art. Creativity also means being open to new ideas and exploring different ways to bring your vision to life. For those early in their journey, I encourage you to nurture your creativity by experimenting with new techniques, learning from different disciplines, and staying curious. Creative breakthroughs often happen when you step out of your comfort zone.
3. Empathy: Art, in its essence, is about connection—connecting with your own emotions and with those of others. Empathy has allowed me to understand the emotions of the people who view my art and to create pieces that resonate on a deeper, more emotional level. Additionally, empathy has driven my desire to give back, particularly through the work I do with children in Colombia who face difficult circumstances. For those starting their journey, I recommend cultivating empathy by listening to others, engaging with different communities, and creating with the intention of making a positive impact. This quality not only enriches your work but also strengthens your relationships with others.
Ultimately, my journey as an artist has been about staying true to these core qualities. I encourage anyone who is just beginning their own journey to focus on persistence, continuous creative growth, and building a meaningful connection with others through empathy. These three elements can transform not only your work but also the way you live and interact with the world around you.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I believe that sometimes it’s not about reading many books, but rather about reading a single book multiple times to truly absorb its wisdom. While I’m a lover of literature and could recommend incredible works from Colombian authors like Gabriel García Márquez or Andrés Caicedo, there are two books that have profoundly impacted my life: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. These books not only shaped my perspective on life but also played a pivotal role in my personal and artistic development.
The Alchemist taught me one of the most valuable lessons: to listen to my heart and pursue my dreams. The protagonist, Santiago, embarks on a journey to discover his “Personal Legend,” and through his trials, he learns that the answers to our greatest questions often lie within us. This book helped me understand my own purpose as an artist. It reinforced the idea that the journey toward fulfilling our dreams is filled with signs, and that if we follow our intuition, we can achieve anything. This has been crucial in my artistic career, especially when I decided to embrace my unique painting technique using roses, despite initial skepticism from others. The book’s message of perseverance and trusting the process deeply resonates with me.
On the other hand, The Little Prince showed me the importance of seeing with the heart, not just with the eyes. This timeless story emphasizes that what truly matters in life is often invisible, such as love, friendship, and the connections we build with others. The lessons from The Little Prince have not only influenced my life but also my art. It reminds me to infuse each piece I create with deep meaning and emotion, because true art is not just about what you see on the surface, but about the feelings it evokes and the unseen connections it fosters with the viewer.
Both of these books have transcended cultural boundaries and become universal symbols of wisdom and personal growth. The Alchemist, with its philosophical insights, has inspired millions of readers worldwide to pursue their dreams and live authentically. The Little Prince has similarly touched hearts across generations, reminding us all of the importance of innocence, wonder, and love in a world often consumed by material pursuits.
These books have enriched my life, not just as an artist, but as a human being. They have helped me stay grounded in my values and maintain a sense of purpose as I navigate my creative journey.
I encourage anyone, whether they’re an artist or not, to revisit these books at different stages in life you’ll always find new wisdom hidden in their pages.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.davidzolo.com
- Instagram: @davidzoloart
Image Credits
David Zolo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
