Meet Zoë Council | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zoë Council and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zoë, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Originally, I was in pursuit of a career in music as a singer/song-writer/performer. Growing up I did theater, choir, took piano lessons, etc. I got accepted into NYU, the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at Tisch with a performance entrepreneur focus. Ultimately, I dropped out, moved back to LA, & began performing on Third Street Promenade: singing songs I had written during my leave of absence from college. After countless (failed) meetings with record label execs, and “studio sessions” fueled by ulterior motives (completely unrelated to music or anything correlative to professionalism), I felt people weren’t taking me seriously. Instead of dwelling, sulking, saturating in the disadvantageous pity of being a young female artist trying to break into the music industry, or female period, I decided to capitalize on the built-in societal objectivity. Once I started taking advantage of the way people were perceiving me, even if it wasn’t necessarily the way I wanted to be perceived, or at least not primarily/solely – instead of succumbing to this preconceived notion of how I should act – I embraced modeling, which was a much more effective way for me to network and communicate. Modeling essentially became my gateway into a career as an artist, it was a way for me to be taken seriously, at least amongst my peers in the fashion industry. People started paying attention. In addition to the more logistic approach of how I started my business, I also felt I really had no other choice (but to be an artist) and I needed to somehow figure out how I could make money. I had taken other jobs and quit them almost immediately because I was struggling mentally. I knew/know myself well enough to recognize that when I’m not passionate about something, and my heart is not engaged or fully indulged, I won’t commit or deliver. Art is the only thing I’ll commit to, that I am and always will be in love with – through the shittiest depressive episodes to the most sparkly scrumptious rewarding moments of euphoria, art has been the only constant.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What keeps me busy professionally is being scared shitless of settling. There’s not much separation between my personal and professional life – I’m constantly thinking about how I can upgrade myself mentally, emotionally, technically, stylistically, financially…it all feeds into each other. It’s difficult working as an artist x model because my work doesn’t come when I want or need it to. Finding the balance between patience (knowing your time will come, letting certain opportunities pass or connections fizzle) and taking initiative (perhaps developing projects or finding alternative outlets to relieve the pressure of immediate results or success) is helpful. The instability and unpredictability is perfectly complementary and reflective to/of me: although at times chaotic, I prefer the spontaneity and risk-taking to a stagnant, plateau of comfortability. Furthermore, breaking creative momentum can catalyze a depressive quicksand spiral of feeling worthless, out of control, etc. When I’m not working, I find ways prepare myself for what I want: sustaining some form of productivity, polishing my technique, indulging in film, traveling, dressing up, writing, taking pictures, etc. As an athlete or an actor prepares off-field or offstage, so does the artist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I really love going on walks, so probably some small pocket of land we could walk around x get coffee or wine. My happy place is biking by the beach, otherwise there’s not a particular spot in LA I consider a must-see, it’s quite subjective. Selfishly, I prefer to collect spots other people take me to so if necessary, I’d pull from those.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom and grandma are my greatest influences. They are the ones who have inspired me the most. I’d like to credit them for everything, but especially for their perspectives, for exposing me to art and teaching me to how to find beauty in everything. They deserve the utmost recognition and exposure.

Website: zeauxi.com

Instagram: instagram.com/zeauxi

Twitter: twitter.com/zeauxi

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@zeauxi

Image Credits
zoë council