Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanti Zschocke.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up my family moved from country to country a lot, and as an anxious and introverted kid, I found the constant change of language and culture difficult. I often withdrew from social settings, turning to digital art mediums as a remedy.
At home, my mom would wake us up by playing cartoons, and showed us how to build toys instead of buying them. When I shared ideas with my dad, he’d come home with a handful of guidebooks to help me. I tried everything from digital painting, to programming games, to making webcomics.
It was so fulfilling to me, and so much easier than trying to express myself with words and people. Pursuing a degree in animation was liberating because in my eyes, its a combination of every form of art. It’s more than just drawing. There’s music, storytelling, design, videography; I get to try everything.
To this day I’m still experimenting with all of it. I can’t decide what my favorite part is or predict where I’ll end up with it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve second-guessed majoring in animation a lot. Art was always like therapy, so it was strange when starting college, it became the source of my stress. Everything sort of flipped where I’d avoid it by going out and ditching my computer. I was losing my fondness for cartoons, comics, and games – instead, I admired graphic designers and architects. I liked the minimalism and functionality I saw in the contemporary world of design.
In a way, I had to start over and figure out if the animation was even right for me anymore. The more happy I became with my personal life, the less inspired I felt to create. Combined with my shifting interest in design, I had to find that inspiration again.
Eventually, I took what I admired in other design mediums and incorporated them into my animations to create a unique sort of visual. Now, my art is inspired by every feeling, from moments of stress after a long week, to the excitement I feel in a modish gallery.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Shanti M.Z. – what should we know?
My stop motion work is collaged from cut paper, my drawings, and found images. I always get lost in mood-boarding when planning a film – at one point I thought to myself, why not create animations built from my favorite part of the pre-production process? I think it creates these surreal animated spaces, by merging patterns in natural surfaces with present-day structures. It’s a style I’m just starting to explore. I’m working towards improving and refining it.
As for my illustrations, I enjoy simple linework and bright flat colors. I love interior & exterior spaces, and portraits. The colors and shapes are all inspired by the playful feelings of walking into vibrant places like an interior design house or a playground.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
It would be impossible to list every amazing person who has helped and inspired me along the way, but I would definitely give the most credit to my professor & animator K8 Howl. The first time I tried collage and the experimental animation was in her course.
I had no direction or interest at first, but her guidance helped me understand that no matter my artistic interest (whether it be graphic design or architecture), there is always a way I could bring it into my animations to make it my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shantimz.myportfolio.com
- Email: shantizsch@gmail.com
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