Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ulrika Lerner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ulrika, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

My background and BFA is in interior design and there I learned the process of a creative project from the spark of an idea to completion. To understand this process and the discipline of design has been very helpful and translates well, for me, to visual art. Whether it comes to art or design one uses the same elements – line, shape, color, texture, scale etc. to achieve successful composition, depth, balance, harmony and emotional reaction/satisfaction. I think it has demystified the idea of creative work for me and allows for a practical and straightforward way to create.

Ulrika, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Both my background and focus for the future are twofold. I grew up drawing and painting but also loving interior design, so when deciding what to do for university, design won out. I am originally from Sweden and came to the US to study, receiving my BFA from New York School of Interior Design. After some time in the design industry I stepped away from that world to raise my children, and as they grew older and became more independent I found my way back to art.

When I found a class at the local art center to get started and to spend some time with likeminded people, I re-discovered some slumbering talent but mostly I found focus and discipline to get on with painting and not wait around for the right mood to appear. Having a busy schedule, in my case 3 kids, will get you there. I kept painting when my schedule allowed and started to put myself out there, participating in art fairs, creating a website and found local businesses who welcomed showcasing my art on their walls.

Slowly growing more confident in promoting my work and realizing how much I enjoyed meeting (potential) customers face to face when opportunity arose, I started to do commissions. I think my background in design, having to truly understand and communicate the client’s wishes, has been very helpful when it comes to this type of work. I know many artists find commissions a bit tricky at times but I suppose I have been fortunate and I truly enjoy the work. As a matter of fact, I am at the moment in the process of finishing one up and I’ve loved (almost) every moment.

I love color and truly enjoy to explore how they interact and play off of each other. That is probably the common denominator for my work. I have on occasion considered (and tried) to niche myself a bit so that my portfolio would seem a little more cohesive, but I’ve given up every time. I just like so many things and find a wide variety of subject matter and artist media intriguing and appealing, my curiosity gets to decide.

As I am fully enjoying creating art I am also finding my way back into practicing interior design again, and I am slowly starting to build my business which has the mission to create inclusive environments and barrier free design. One should not have to forsake beauty for function.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I will have to go with a two fold answer again.

When it comes to art I like to think that I can help spread a bit of joy, maybe a moment of respite if you are having a bad day and you look at an image I’ve created. As mentioned on my website “my desire is to create something one can gaze upon when daydreaming for a moment”. I think that may be the reason I don’t create art that stirs up tough emotions.

As a designer I have a strong desire to be able to use my skills to create beautiful, barrier free environments that empowers the user to live their life to the fullest.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think this answer may be the same as above; to hopefully spread a bit of joy and to help create inclusiveness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lernerstudio.com
• Instagram: @lernerstudio

Image Credits

Ulrika Lerner, Annette O’Riordan