Check Out Lena Anderson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lena Anderson.

Hi Lena, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Born in Moscow, Russia, I moved to Germany at age 9, where I finished both school and university. I met my husband by happenstance while visiting Moscow in 2010, and ever since we’ve been traveling the world and living in different countries: Russia, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. In 2016 we moved to the US, where my husband is originally from. We first lived in Denver, CO, before relocating to Woodstock, GA in 2017. We consider Georgia our chosen home and couldn’t be happier about our decision to move here. I’m a mom of three and an artist, working mostly in acrylics and watercolors.
As cheesy as it might sound, I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. According to my parents, I would lie on the floor drawing at friends’ birthday parties while the other kids played around me. I remember creating whole worlds and storylines, all drawn out on paper. When I moved to Germany, art became my safe space and coping mechanism during a time of acclimatization to a completely new culture and language — a role it has held throughout my life.
I lost some of my connection to art when I left for university. Like pretty much everyone I knew, I chose the business route, even though I had little sense of what that actually entailed. From there, life only grew more complex — more moves, more jobs, more kids. I found myself a 36-year-old stay-at-home mom of three in the suburbs of Atlanta, and as much as I love my life and my children, I was absolutely craving something of my own. Motherhood, in my experience, makes it very easy to lose track of your own identity when you’re so focused on pouring into others.
Last year I decided to make art a priority in my life. I started signing up for art markets, fairs, and stores. And even though I’m still in the early stages of this artistic undertaking — and putting myself out there has been genuinely challenging — I’m very excited about this journey. I’ve met so many inspiring creatives, and I couldn’t ask for a more supportive and nurturing community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The challenges have been multifaceted. Being a mom of three, it’s genuinely hard to find time for art. My youngest is two and only goes to daycare part time, meaning I usually have just a few hours a day to paint without someone trying to steal my brushes and paints. Another challenge that is familiar to any working parent: when you pour a lot of time into your work, you start feeling guilty about taking time away from your family. With art in particular, a lot of events happen on holidays and weekends, so there’s always a tinge of guilt mixed in, whether I feel like I’m doing too much or not enough.
Another challenge, specific to art, is public perception. I’ve had friends refer to what I do as a hobby, or take offense when I decline social events due to professional commitments or deadlines. It can be quite demoralizing.
A lot of this is trial and error. I’ve had fantastic fairs that put wind in your sails and carry you for weeks but I’ve also had plenty of difficult markets with minimal sales. I try to take each one as a chance to learn something new. Rejection is, unfortunately, a big part of this journey. I once met a seasoned artist who gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me: try to normalize rejection. Set a goal for a certain number of “no’s” per month make it your aim to collect as many rejections as possible, because ultimately it’s a numbers game. I’m still working on that.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a contemporary artist working primarily in acrylic and watercolor. I draw most of my inspiration from nature: florals, animals, and landscapes, organic forms. My ever-present goal is to capture movement, shifting light, and the feeling of a moment that invites you to slow down. My work blends expressive brushwork with layered color and movement, aiming to create pieces that feel both painterly and personal. I love finding the balance between refined detail and intuitive mark-making. I hope to create work that feels warm and deeply connected to the natural world. And honestly, I’m a little obsessed with southern flora.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am probably the most risk-averse person on the planet, which I think is part of why I ended up studying business and walking away with a degree in political science and sociology. What I’m trying to say is: I wish I had taken the risk at 20 and committed to an artistic career. Instead, I’m learning to take risks now, in my late thirties.
And it’s worth it. Healthy risk-taking is necessary, not just for any kind of financial success, but on a personal level too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LenaAndersonArt.com
• Instagram: LenaAndersonArt
• Facebook: Lena Anderson Art