Today we’d like to introduce you to Zyi Saenz.
Hi Zyi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first started my business in Austin, TX amidst the chaos of covid-19 in 2020. I had just lost my job and had been supplementing my income through vintage resale. As it progressed, I discovered that many of my customers loved my painted garments. This discovery was more accidental than intentional because my paintings at first were just a means to revitalize some blank garments I thrifted. As my business gained more momentum, I felt a calling to move to Los Angeles to expand the business and grow as an artist.
Art was something I had abandoned so many times before because I was told so often it wasn’t a viable way to live. Which I know now isn’t true. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen with relentless work and faith. But it was never about the money to begin with because my yearning to create art was deeper than that.
I created ZYI NEUTRAL to be founded on three principles; art, gender neutrality, and sustainability. Art is beyond stationary forms and can exist within any means. Whether art is on clothing or on a wall, it is an experience. I wanted my clients and supporters to be immersed in the esoteric worlds I created in my art. Also, as a non-binary artist, I needed to help people know that their self-expression was limitless and that they can dress across the imaginary lines of gendered clothing. Lastly, sustainability is vital because I never wanted my passion to harm the environment because this is the world I live in and it needs to be respected.
I’m happy to say today that ZYI NEUTRAL has become more than I could imagine. I pour myself into every art piece and nothing feels better than sharing it with the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Although pursuing my dream of being a full-time artist was never about the money, I did have to find ways to live. It was definitely tough at first because the work I had put into my business wasn’t creating the results I wanted. But the thing about success is that work and the results are never linear, there are times when nothing is happening. During these periods, I had to just believe that what I was doing was the right thing for my soul and to just keep pushing through. The first year of a business is crucial and good things will always take time so I accepted the uncertainty.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My predominant works of art are painted clothing, all of which are made to be unique one-of-one designs. I create esoteric dark worlds within my art to show that beautiful things can be beyond the conventional forms we’re used to seeing. I essentially reveal my identity in my art. Being an alternative black-latinx on top of being a queer non-binary, heavily tattooed artist, I embody being the outsider. Nonetheless, I’m happy expressing myself and I know there’s so much more out there for people than what they’ve felt obligated to be. I share my world and my art to help them know their self-expression can be limitless.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Coming from central Texas, going to a beach was a 7-hour hassle there. I absolutely love the nature in Los Angeles and am happy knowing that the beach is a short drive away. Also, there’s so much diversity here so I enjoy being immersed in so much good food and art.
The thing I like the least about LA is the lack of better public transportation and the traffic. I drive but I feel as though the city could streamline these much better.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: zyineutral.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zyineutral/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zyineutral
