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Briefly describe the work you do.

I draw surreal pictures, mostly inspired by music and nature and everything in between.

At what point in your life did you want to become an artist?

I started taking drawing seriously about 6 years ago, when I moved to another city and started college, and a lot of positive change happened. Though I can’t say I wanted to become an artist, nor I expected that to happen, or that it actually happened. I still get nervous each time a see a blank piece of paper as if it is a first time.

Tell us a little about your background and how that influences you as an artist.

I am a nature lover and study natural sciences on daily basis, which is why it is easy to see natural motives in my drawings. The further my body is from the city, the closer I am to finding missing pieces of the puzzle. I also love astrophysics, black holes and time travel theories, and it adds up to the science-fictional feel.

What types of conceptual concerns are present in your work? How do those relate to the specific process(es) or media you use?

I think the basic conceptual concern in my works is probably to try to reveal the microcosm of things and patterns and put them together in an unexpected kind of way. I use pencil for this because it lets me to get as detailed as possible to the very base of creative process.

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We once heard Chuck Close say he did not believe in being inspired, rather in working hard everyday. What motivates you in your studio practice?

I agree with this. And I don’t believe in motivation either, because you need motivation to keep doing things you don’t really like. I love what I do, it always feels like a coming of spring when I have something to work on, and I feel miserable when I don’t. Sometimes mind images and experiences just need some time to evolve into idea, so it is important to learn to lay back and let them to. And make sketches.

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What artists living or non-living influence your work?

I don’t have any visual artists that had or have influence on my work, but there are a lot of musicians and writers and poets and storytellers and freedom seekers who keep inspiring me at all times, like Robert Smith, Martin L. Gore, Jim Morrison, Andrew VanWyngarden, Kurt Vonnegut, Richard Matheson, Henry David Thoreau, Charles Bukowski…..

When you are not making art what types of activities and interests do you engage in?

Basically, riding a bicycle in a forest while listening to favorite music, with a book and a grilled cheese sandwich in my backpack – this is my perfect day in a nutshell. I also love to play guitar and keyboards from time to time, and I’m quite a singer as well.

About

Lena Klyukina is a traditional drawing artist, currently residing in Vilnius, Lithuania. Each character’s inner world is expressed through detailed surreal surroundings, naturally chaotic and bizarre, leading to take a trip to the subconscious.

www.facebook.com/lenaklyukinadrawings

All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.