We recently connected with Lea Wiercioch and have shared our conversation below.
Lea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
I am lucky to have been raised by a wonderful supportive family as well as surrounded by lifelong friends . Many kind gestures have been sent my way through the years from all these great people. . Flash forward – I am a 56 year old women- trying to make it as a full time artist. The business side of all of this stifles me – the websites ( my computer has made me cry -that tells you my tech skills-hahha)- booking shows- pricing works as well as some of the simple things- business cards- photos of my work- photos of myself! As of late I have had 2 wonderfully kind people helping me in so many ways with kind things. My Daughters! They happen to be professional Musicians -singers in a band. I watch them in awe as they navigate the waters of a career in music.. A lot of white water rapids in that industry! In all that they do they have also stepped in as my business advisors- my web designers my cheerleaders. etc.! Recently they booked a photo shoot for my Mothers Day gift- I had been asked to provide a photo of myself for an art show and found myself scrambling – and cringing over the idea of finding a recent photo that would be displayed next to my paintings! Their dear friend is a professional Photographer. We had a blast at the photo shoot. . They told me they wanted to do this for me because of how much they believe in me and my art.. They remind me often that they are behind me…who knew you could be mentored by your own children!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am a fine arts Artist who loves to create thought provoking pieces. I want the person viewing my art to come with their life experiences ,coming to their own conclusion of how it makes them feel. I am happy to explain what the piece means to me but want you the viewer to feel something of your own. Music is often the prompt in many pieces.. I drew a picture back in 1976( or so ) of my interpretation of a Joni Mitchell song..I thought I was being deep and mature in drawing the meaning of the lyrics!. It received rave reviews ( from my Dad-hahah) I was hooked ever since! I love to learn something new at least once a month in the art community- whether it be a technique, how to use a new a product or learning a back story of a fellow artist. This keeps me engaged and the juices flowing. If you came to one of my shows you would discover the I am a very eclectic Artist. My titles of works are often lyrics from songs. I like to produce larger scale works but not always. I tend to paint but not always- I also work with MDF( full size Art Guitars) wood , plaster etc. I tend to push the color limit but not always . I like a pared down human figure as a subject but not always, trees, fish and landscapes also work! I also have a sense of humor. I do struggle with commision work and drive the client crazy with all the questions- I want inside their heads to fully produce a piece.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I sell a piece of art and all I can think of is what shall I create next?I was a “stay at home” Mom while my girls were in school…I taught reading recovery as a volunteer in their school . I supported my daughters in every endeavor through the years and loved every moment. Didn’t stay home much though -hahhah I have worked many side jobs -teaching Ballet- working in a warehouse- cleaning houses., an extra in movies etc.., all the while, desperately finding the creative niches in these side jobs- Obviously Ballet creative in its own wonderful nature inspired me- working in the warehouse I looked at the items I was unpacking , making mental notes of colors,shapes etc. I would find inspiration in the fine art pieces in the homes I was cleaning . While on movie sets I would bring a sketchbook and my headphones, many an idea was born there while waiting to go on set. I start a painting and lose track of time- I have to set a timer or nothing else would get done,. I get in bed at night and have a small sketch book by my bed to get a rough draw on an idea or I can’t sleep. I wake up and rush through my daily chores, a workout (where I have creative thoughts because I am listenting to music-hha) Finally- Canvas out -paints out – I can fall in the zone, a calm and beyond happy place.. I can’t figure out any type of ‘work” that could ever make me feel this happy. I have traded my moms famous lasagna for two large hand made wood panels. I was hungry but happy hahhah!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Its not money just in case you are wondering. The ebb and flow of selling my art has been tricky.. When I was a student I thought for sure I would be building myself a huge art studio , where I would have multiple shows a years on my 100 acre forest….Currently I paint on my kitchen table – on my great room floor on the back deck…etc I pay big bucks to rent space for any indiviual show. I advertise my shows myself-I hang every piece( 60 the last show) I buy the beer -wine- Hors-devours and book the band for my shows. If I don’t sell any painting, I have just paid for and thrown a great party. The stress is high but I happen to know a great band(aka my daughters) my Mom always buys a painting- (thanks Mom) my friends and family come and help in any way they can. I love bringing people together – Its rewarding to sell of course but even better to have return buyers tell me where they put my work and how happy it makes them to have it in their house.
Contact Info:
- Website: SINECERALEA.COM
- Instagram: @sineceralea
- Facebook: lea Wiercioch
- Other: EMAIL –leawiercioch.art@gmail.com
Image Credits
Cheyenne Comerford