Zoi Hunter was not born when Frank Sinatra sang his most notable ballad,
‘My Way’. The 16-year old had no way of knowing that the words from the song, I
planned each chartered course, each careful step along the byway and more, much
more than this, I did it my way, would describe her life. Zoi is the miracle
child of John and Tira Hunter, a family transplanted from the Midwest. More than
just a miracle child, Zoi is an artist extraordinaire. I planned to interview
this extraordinary artist, but I found that art speaks where words are unable
to explain. When I asked her to describe her style of art, she smiled and
showed me several pieces. We agreed that her artwork is a copulation of
abstract, fantasy and realism if I just must use words to describe them. Zoi
explains, “l feel my paintings, I see them in my mind, and then I paint
what I feel and see”.
This
journey did not happen by accident. Her father, John, is a sketch artist and
was Zoi’s first art teacher. At the age of 1 1, the family discovered her
talent. Art undeniably is conducive to happiness, and this made Zoi happy. She
was expressing her creativity and creativity is intelligence having fun! One of
her first pieces of art was a steampunk drawing. Steampunk is a genre of
science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates animation, technology and
aesthetic designs inspired by 1 9th century industrial steam-powered
machinery.
Zoi’s love for artistic
expression also translates to her education. It is said that artists see what
others only catch a glimpse of. Her mind was already racing, and traditional
education could not keep up. Even before her love for art was evident, she went
to her mother and asked to be homeschooled since she found public school was
not challenging her. Tira and John would do anything to support their fantasy that incorporates animation, technology and
aesthetic designs inspired by 1 9th century industrial steam-powered
machinery.
Zoi’s love for artistic expression also translates to her education. It is said that artists see what others only catch a glimpse of. Her mind was already racing, and traditional education could not keep up. Even before her love for art was evident, she went to her mother and asked to be homeschooled since she found public school was not challenging her. Tira and John would do anything to support their student’s education is not directed by a teacher and curriculum. Unschooling gives Zoi the freedom to pursue her art the way she desires, and she seeks unlimited knowledge about whatever she wants. Zoi learns history, black history and science as a choice. Alice Ball was an African American chemist who developed the first successful treatment for those suffering from leprosy and is one of Zoi’s favorites. Zoi articulates, “education is at my fingertips”.
Zoi declares that as an artist she paints, draws, designs, writes, and cooks. She also teaches classes at the library and at the co-op. This fall, she will illustrate her 1 st children’s book. Zoi’s artwork can be found all over the world. She even has several pieces on display in the local Bronze Kingdom Museum.
When I asked Zoi what she wanted the world to know about her, she whispered, “Look at my work, because in every work of art, the artist herself is present”.
By Laura Dorsey