About the Artist
Zen Xander
Zen Xander isn’t a single artist. It’s a small group of painters, illustrators, designers and writers who came together with one simple idea: create art that makes people smile, think and feel instantly understood. Everyone in the collective comes from a different background, but they all share the same belief that art should be warm, humorous and relatable, rather than distant or overly serious.
The collective began experimenting with a question that kept resurfacing in their conversations. How do you show people the funny, flawed, brilliant ways we all behave without pointing fingers or making anyone feel judged? The answer arrived naturally. Use animals.
Signed Limited Edition Prints
Zen Xander Prints come with Certificate of Authenticity from the Zen studio.
Biography
The Artist's Journey
Zara Muse, the artistic alter ego of Alexandra Johnson, is a contemporary artist whose journey is as vibrant as her paintings. With a unique technique that combines a palette knife and spatula, Zara creates textured masterpieces that possess a striking three-dimensional quality. Her art delves into profound themes of nature, emotions, and human connection, employing a rich colour palette to celebrate female beauty and evoke deep feelings.
Artistic flair runs deep in Zara’s family, as she is the cousin of a high-profile street artist. From a young age, she regularly spent her summer holidays creating art, nurturing her passion for creativity. However, her path to becoming a respected figure in both the art and financial communities has not been without its challenges. Despite a successful career in finance, Zara’s heart has always belonged to art. In her early days as a trader in the City of London, she found herself captivated by the graffiti art scene, admiring its raw expression and creativity. This fascination ultimately inspired her own artistic journey.
The birth of Zara Muse came from a place of vulnerability—a fear of rejection that held Alex back from sharing her artwork with the world. However, her determination to fulfil a lifelong dream outweighed her fears. In 2017, her life took a significant turn when her mother, Janet, was diagnosed with cancer. Zara became her primary caregiver, demonstrating her unwavering love and commitment during a challenging time. Tragically, Janet passed away on 18 February 2019, after a courageous battle, her health compromised by the selfless act of giving one of her kidneys to her brother at the age of 60.
This experience profoundly impacted Zara, leaving her feeling lost and adrift after the loss of her mother. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as she grappled with her grief, she picked up the palette knife as a form of therapy. It was a healing journey that transformed her life. Encouraged by her children, who recognised her talent and passion, Zara found the confidence to share her artwork with the public, allowing her alter ego to flourish.