Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaeed Kala.
Hi Zaeed, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Growing up in Mauritius, an island East of Africa, I have always wanted to pursue a career in visual art. I moved to the United States in 2009 for college and finally moved to Houston in 2013 for graduate school.
Not only did I want to build my skills and further my knowledge in the arts, I also wanted to make it accessible to the younger generation. So, after graduating with my Master’s in Fine Arts, I taught in high school for 6 years and now recently just created my own private studio.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My number 1 source of struggle was navigating the immigration system in the US. Changing my status from BFA to MFA student, to work visa, to permanent residency has been quite a nightmare. While going through status changes, I could not legally work for a certain amount of time, and I remember in 2016 alone, I had to go to the DMV about four times just to get my license renewed. And not to mention going for long periods of time (up to 5 years) without seeing my friends or family back home.
As an educator, the second struggle was the school system. The students were great, but the bureaucratic side of the institutions treated them like data. The fake corporate smiles, the lack of humor, the absence of actual genuine connection, as well as the limited resources made the “educating” part of the job much harder than it should have been.
Now I am dealing with the struggles of figuring out a new business, but it feels somewhat… liberating.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
So, my business is a creative one! I recently opened an art studio that teaches a blend of traditional and digital art to students from age 11 to adults. I wanted to make both Fine Art and Illustration courses accessible to a younger and larger crowd, at a more affordable rate. Basically, giving people what I wish I had growing up.
What sets my studio apart is the quality of lessons. My studio is one of the very few in town that teaches digital art and concepts such as character design, background art, and lighting to young students. I also follow a paced curriculum that is progressive and consistent, rather than just random projects thrown here and there. We tackle everything from construction lines, forms, values, anatomy, portraiture, perspective, color theory, and cultural research. And every concept taught is applicable at any level from total beginner to seasoned artists.
Another thing that sets me apart from the other art studios is the fact that I focus more on teaching structure and skills rather than just replication from photographs. My goal is to have students comfortable enough to rotate objects mentally and draw them from different angles simply by observing. I also offer online/ hybrid classes for students who cannot make it to the location and offer make-up sessions for missed days.
The recurrent weekly courses I offer are:
1) Fine and Concept Art
A course that addresses the Fine Arts fundamentals with traditional media and slowly transitions into Concept Art and digital media.
2) Anime Art
A course on anime drawing with a heavy focus on fundamentals such as anatomy, perspective, expressions, color theory, and lighting.
3) Drawing & Sketching
A technical course that focuses on drafting and structural drawing. Great for students interested in fine art, architecture, engineering or industrial design.
I also offer additional one time pop-up sessions that are perfect for the casual art lovers, or people who want a little space to create. These sessions can also work as a date night or family event!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artstudio-z.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/z_artschool/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zartstudiohtx
- Other: www.zaeedkala.com (personal website), @zaeedart (personal instagram)
