Meet Lena Wolek: Ceramic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lena Wolek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lena, what do you attribute your success to?
Simply put, my work is silly drawings of critters on ceramics that are humorous and touching yet sometimes profound. But they are always kinda whacky! Patrons endearingly see themselves or their own pets in the cartoons—that are sorta just a self reflection anyway. Being they are items used daily they are a constant reminder of that first joy upon discovering them. A happy memory that is constantly rekindled, like a great song that gets stuck in your head that you still love to sing along with… Folks that collect my work value the idea uniqueness of things and are attracted not only to the specific drawing but the other singular characteristics in the ceramics. I am careful to allow subtle chance imperfections to happen that give pieces an individuality that can’t quite be specified, but is there, just like people or animals. I often hear stories about how this or that mug is their favorite and they can’t bear to have their morning coffee without it. There is no praise that makes me happier and propels me to go even further in the edginess and absurdity of the work that then feeds the circle. Recently, my practice has delved into commissions of customers pets. At first I felt I had to be safe, but it is always the craziest ones that they adore. So, it boils down that the my success has been to follow my own vision knowing that others will love to see the world as I do and drink it up day after day.  

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I come from a fine art background and have had numerous exhibitions in galleries and museums. I still do larger more conceptual sculptural works often based in ceramics, but my creative energy has recently been more fulfilled by offering small items to people that give them such satisfaction. I was asked a few years ago if I would rather have my art be expensive and appreciated by a few, or affordable and appreciated by many. I immediately said, “Many,” my socialistic Siberian roots coming out. I still dabble in both and look forward to more exhibitions of non-utilitarian work, but I now feel confident and know that my grounding will always be in what folks want to grab, cherish and use first thing in the morning. Most likely even new fine art projects in the future shall reflect that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Honestly, I’d have them come and stay at our house where I will bake Siberian Rye Bread and cook from my garden. We can take a hike up in Kenneth Hahn Park for the best vistas on LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband who kept believing in and pushing me to go forward, and my dogs and cats who constantly inspire me to characterize. And of course my friends who started to buy things and said I should set up shop…

Website: www.lenawolek.com
Instagram: @rukiart
Facebook: Lena Wolek