Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Storm.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Zach. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in West Los Angeles. I come from a family of aerospace engineers and car enthusiasts. I moved to Washington DC for college when I was 18. I went to the Corcoran College of Art + Design where I received my BFA in 2005. I was picked up by a small-time gallery right out of school and my exhibiting career began. I grew out of the small time gallery and went to the more refined Judi Rotenberg Gallery in Boston that gave me more support and more opportunities to show my work. Five years after receiving my BFA, I went to the Maryland Institute College of Art where I earned my Masters in Fine Art in 2012. After graduate school, I was picked by a gallery in Manhattan where I had my first solo show in New York. In 2013, 12 years after leaving, I returned to Los Angeles to be close to my family. I became the lead builder at a custom canvas and panel shop in Los Feliz called: Blue Rooster Art Supplies and began to hone my building skills for other artists. My good friend and former schoolmate, Nilay Lawson also made the journey to LA and opened her own show space called SSSLA in Chinatown. With Nilay’s help, I was able to show much of my most current work and explore many of my freshest ideas even as the paint was still wet. After many trials and tribulations in my vibrant and competitive hometown I had my first commercial solo show at AALA Gallery on Melrose at the beginning of 2018.
Has it been a smooth road?
The smoothest portions of the journey can only be realized in relation to the roughest. I have had many struggles in my formation as an artist, but the greatest challenge has been finding dealers and shows spaces that really “see” what you’re doing want to give you a chance. Luckily, I don’t know any other way than artistic expression and that singular focus has lead people to know me as a prolific artist and in turn, give me some chances.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am an artist. I make paintings and drawings mostly. I concern myself mostly with landscapes that lack human or animal presence. The focus in on elements of a landscape (atmosphere, water, rocks, shrubs, etc.) and then exploring those elements through a variety of media (inks, pigments, oils, encaustics, etc.). The aim is to eventually have enough elements and understanding of those elements to create larger and more dynamic landscapes that have the exotic benefit of not having any sign of humans. I am most proud of my ability to work full time for Blue Rooster Art Supplies making custom canvasses and panels for other artists while maintaining my own full-time artistic practice.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is immense. It’s gorgeous and it’s hideous and everything else depending on which facet you find yourself in front of. Los Angeles is known for its creative professions, so a business like mine can really gain traction here, but that requires enormous dedication because there are so many other vibrant and creative people all around you. It can be quite intimidating. If you have that dedication and determination then, I would highly recommend LA! The things that LA needs to improve are far too vast to list. You just need heart and dedication.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4661 Hollywood Blvd.
- Website: www.zachstorm.com
- Phone: 323.302.5613
- Instagram: @_zachstorm_ @blueroosterart
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