We recently connected with Aleksandra Zee and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aleksandra, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

In my experience I have found that success and fulfillment in that success it to be driven by passion. Whatever that passion may be, having that be the first pillar and the foundation is what breeds success. No matter the blood sweat and tears that come with starting a business or creative venture, knowing it is the desire of your heart to move it forward no amount of work is out of the question when it is filed by passion.

Aleksandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a native Californian artist, woodworker, and designer with a degree in Fine Arts. Currently located in Joshua Tree CA.
My portfolio spans from room-filling installations to intricate wall hangings and sculptures adaptable to any environment. I draw inspiration from the beauty of the high desert, its rich colors, textures, and expansive landscape all play a major part in the foundation of my work.. Each piece is meticulously crafted, with neutral tones and minimalist forms serving as the foundational elements of my designs.

I stated my journey into the art world by creating displays for a large retailer right out of collage. I fell in love with creating things out of wood and knew that was the direction I wanted to head in as an artist.
What I love to do and what I think sets me apart is my hunger to use the landscape I am inspired by as the foundation to my work. My most recent collection is focused on the natural light of the desert, when it is as its most harsh and when it is fleeting.
I am most proud of my newest body of work called Let the Light in, that I am still expanding on. It is a major departure from my previous works and is more sculptural. I love the precess of creating these new delicate pieces that play with light and shadow and also color.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal that is driving my creative journey is one of making art and finding joy. My hope with that is to continue to sustain my practice and for my daily life to be filled with joy. I do not hunger for fame, I truly want to soak in the beauty of slow desert life, create artwork that clients new and old love and collect and find joy in every part of that.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first decided that I wanted to leave my job and become and artist I knew it was going to take a while to get that ball rolling. The job that I left took all of the creative energy that I had, so I know I needed to find something that allowed me the creative space to make art while also saving to get my business up and running. For three years I worked as a waitress so that my days could be devoted to my craft and my evenings were for paying the bills. It is ofter advice that I give, that there is no shame in the work you do get yourself started on the journey towards your dreams. I look back on that time in my life as such a special and sacred time of growth and finding my artistic way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aleksandrazee.com
• Instagram: @aleksandrazee

Image Credits

All photos by Antrom Kury