Zaire’s Studio

As the youngest member of a family that oozes artistry, I’ve rarely found myself in a position where I lack inspiration. My second oldest brother, Zaire has been drawing and painting for maybe as far back as I can remember. From helping me with illustrations for school projects, to gifting me thoughtful paintings that have been representative of some of my favorite hobbies or passions — I’ve always been surrounded by his work.

In a world that makes reading the news feel like a dreadful experience, I admire Zaire’s conscious decision to incorporate vibrant colors and lean into a more playful essence throughout his work. Growing up, our mother always referred to him as her “happy baby”. Although my siblings and I may share a stoic exterior at times, it seems nearly impossible to suppress the light that naturally emerges when we’re doing something that we love. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Zaire’s work evolve throughout the years and while I’m sure that he’ll continue to grow as both an individual and an artist, I felt that it was important to capture his space in the present day.