Meet woodworker Aleksandra Zee

Posted on Aug 15, 2023 By Isobel Schofield

Your name: Aleksandra Zee

Your pronouns: she/her

What you do: Artist / Woodwoker

Where you live: Joshua Tree CA

Describe your journey of becoming an artist/sculptor? I always knew I wanted to work with my hands in some capacity. Through a series of creative jobs I landed on my medium and dove into exploring what I wanted to create. Lots of self taught flops and turns I found the direction I wanted to go in and worked on perfecting my artwork with wood as my medium. I am always evolving and so is my work, at the moment I am working on my sculptural based pieces that I am really excited about.

You just moved. Can you share a little about why you moved to the dessert? I have always wanted to live in the desert, I bought a parcel of land out in Joshua Tree back in 2017, that is when the seed was really planted that I would end up living here at some point. The desert has always been the biggest source of inspiration for me and my work. Earlier this year we decided to go on the hunt for a home out here, the price tag on building from the ground up on our property was just a bit too daunting. We ended up finding a dream home, built in the 70's with a huge studio for my woodshop and knew we could not pass it up. We pulled the trigger and have been living out here since June. It truly was the best decision we have ever made. I miss our community immensely , but living out here in just these two short months has brought a new level of calm, restoration and inspiration. This feels like home. I keep telling this story.. When we were driving into town with the car packed to the brim, I felt my shoulders drop and my jaw unclench, I have stayed that way. Relaxed and at home. This place is medicine for my soul and with every magical sunset I can't believe this is where I get to live and create.

How do you think being an artist informs your sense of personal style? My sense of style and what I create as an artist is one in the same. It feels like a circle, one informing the other.

If you could time travel and have a drink with you at 21 years old, what advice would you give yourself? Hahaha for sure a few things... Don't take yourself too seriously, time is fleeting, It all works out the way it needs to, be mindful of who you trust.

Do you have any exciting projects coming up that you'd like to share? Right now I am just settling into the new shop and will be releasing new artwork in October so watch out for that!

Which are your favorite Bryr clogs and why? My favs are the Norma they are so comfortable and go with everything!

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