Friends Of VA

Aleksandra Zee: Artist, Woodworker and Designer

Introducing Friends of VA: Our new interview series featuring artists, creatives, and inspiring women within our community. 

As a women-led, woman-founded brand, we exist for our community: our nature-inspired designs are made to give you the most flattering and versatile pieces you can live in every day and feel your best. With this in mind, we continuously meet members of our community making incredible work and contributing to the world in meaningful ways. Our goal is to give these women a chance to share their own stories and insights with all of you, hopefully inspiring others in turn. 

This month we’re featuring Aleksandra Zee, an artist, woodworker and designer currently living and working in the Southern California desert town of Joshua Tree, where the landscape informs her work—and the desert is her muse. Read the full interview below. 

Can you tell us a bit about where you live and what drew you to the desert?

I live in Joshua Tree, California. I've always felt drawn to the desert landscape—it has inspired my artwork for many years. I love the vast, neutral color palette that comes alive at sunrise and sunset in the most stunning, vibrant shades of orange and pink. There’s a stillness out here that I cherish deeply. The desert slows you down and makes you live in tune with the seasons, and I didn’t realize how much my creative soul had been craving that.

How does your environment shape the way you create?

The environment is my number one source of inspiration right now. I've become fascinated with studying the light out here. In summer, the days are long and the sunlight is hot and intense—we seek shelter from it most of the day. In winter, when daylight is scarce, we chase the sun and soak up every bit of light we can. I love playing with the ideas of chasing and shielding light in my work. Since moving here, I’ve created a new body of work rooted in sunlight and the ways we live with it in both extremes.

Describe a day in your studio. Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the flow?

My favorite part of living out here is how my workflow has slowed down. I approach each day with intention. Mornings are for appreciating the sunrise and getting out into nature before it gets too hot. The rest of the day is spent in the woodshop creating, or seeking inspiration. In summer, you truly work with the sun—rising and setting with it. I love how in tune with nature I feel here, and how that connection shows up in my work.

We believe in beauty with purpose—how does sustainability or intentional living play a role in your work?

I love that phrase—beauty with purpose—and I resonate with it deeply. I strive not to add more “stuff” to the world without meaning. Every piece I create is either made to order or one-of-a-kind, and I love how that model supports my small business. I use FSC-certified lumber and ensure all materials are ethically sourced. Intention is built into every part of the process.

Your pieces feel deeply grounded in nature. Where do you typically turn for inspiration?

The sun is my current muse. We’re just coming out of winter, where light is scarce and deeply appreciated, and entering my favorite season—yes, even with the heat—when the days feel endless. I’m especially inspired by the shadows cast in the harsh desert light, and how those shadows change and move throughout the day. That rhythm and movement have become central to my recent work.

What are you currently working on that’s bringing you joy?

Right now, I’m working on a series of new sculptures designed to live outside and coexist with the harsh desert elements. They’re still in progress—I have a few more rounds of refining and editing before they’re ready—but the process of creating them has been incredibly joyful and rewarding.

What’s something you’ve learned recently that’s shifted your perspective or creative process?

I’ve learned that slowing down doesn’t make the work less relevant. When I lived in the city, I felt constant pressure to create and share something new all the time—as if interest would fade if I paused. Living out here has shown me the opposite. There’s real power in slowing down, studying, and making things with deep intention. That’s where my soul thrives—and where my best work comes from.

Finally, how do you slow down and stay connected to what matters most?

For me, it’s about staying connected—to myself, my partner, nature, and our community. Slowing down, making space and time, and appreciating the beauty in the mundane—it’s everything. I feel incredibly lucky to live alongside nature and create in harmony with it. That, to me, is the dream.