about the artist
Hey there! I'm Natalie.
As a lifelong southern Illinois resident, I've found endless inspiration in this region filled with hidden gems that shine a bit differently throughout the seasons.
College Days
By the time I graduated from Southern Illinois University with a BA in Art/Art History, I was observing our landscapes and documenting their changes through a variety of mediums and materials that have continued to evolve over the years.
Terminus
Unfortunately, the climate has been undergoing even more dramatic changes as time goes on. In 2023, I served as an artist-in-residence at Olympic National Park in Washington state - where the glaciers are expected to vanish by 2070 - and I had the bittersweet honor to paint the Humes Glacier for their glacier memorial project.
Picking Up
It was a galvanizing experience, and now I feel a sense of urgency to use my creative practice for the benefit of the natural world that inspires me so much. Now I actively pick up litter when I'm painting plein air on location (sometimes using these found objects as the canvases) and experiment with ways to repurpose and upcycle even further in the studio.
Carrying On
I still really love incorporating locally abundant natural materials (which are often overlooked or underappreciated) into my work as well, such as leaves, shed snakeskins, even sweetgum pods.
Sticking Around
Elevating these humble materials and painting landscapes en plein air reconnects me with nature and serves as a reminder to be a better resident of this planet we all share.
I'll keep sharing the results here with seasonal collections as I continue exploring the intersection between creativity and sustainability; if you'd like to join me on this journey, find me on social media or sign up for my email list.
P.S. If you're local, you can see a few of my creations in person at Cobden Village Shops and Little Egypt Arts Association!