We were lucky to catch up with Natalie Espino recently and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I use a variety of techniques/ materials within my work, and I am pretty much an entirely self-taught!
To me, there’s a certain preciousness and “raw” element in learning to create with no guidance. As in, the freedom that comes along with “there’s no way to mess this up, because you’re playing and you’re learning” let’s the Artist explore without set expectations and just enjoying the process. TLDR: I just let myself explore!
Knowing what I know now, I’d tell myself to practice a little more patience with the wire. Now that I’ve developed an actual relationship with the material, I let it guide me, rather than try to strangle and tame it.
Natalie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a mixed media artist with a specialty and focus in wire sculpture. I work under the moniker “Alma de Arte” (Soul of Art) where I reimagine how a two-dimensional image can evolve in depth as it becomes a three-dimensional sculpture. Each piece is intended for the viewer to feel that their soul is being represented through the art and my hope is they find something beautiful and familiar. I began my art career making abstract earrings and gifting them to my friends/family. Then THEY began to purchase them as gifts for THEIR friends and family. It all just grew organically from there! My web of supporters and art lovers are either people I have met directly or are friends of my friends.
Naturally, I started to experiment with bigger and more complex projects which lead to the expansion of works I offer. At this moment I offer sculptural wire work through jewelry (primarily earrings), framed wire sculptures, mixed media pieces (acrylic paintings + wire sculpts), and just plain ole acrylic paintings/prints.. but I have a few new and exciting ideas for this year *hint hint*
I am most proud of my ability to bring my clients’ visions to life. To capture and immortalize significant moments and memories through art is a way I am able to connect with my community, it’s really quite special to me.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
People. If there were no one to share or enjoy my art with… I’d probably still make it. But I wouldn’t experience the happiness I do when I get to watch someone light up as they connect with one of my pieces.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Whew, okay. “Making it” as an artist is not a conventional career path. I’m faced with the unpredictability of it all, daily. And sometimes I even consider quitting, cause I’m a deep feeler and it gets heavy and dark. But I always push through and try to listen to what my better self would suggest. Better self as in, the version of me when I’m “up”. After an awesome show or when I sell an original or something like that. I ask Her if I should quit, which is always, “No. You’ve worked too hard to get to where you are”. OR I’d ask someone with more wisdom, vision, and experience than me. A mentor, a coach, someone you trust. Sometimes you need another perspective for when you can see past the fog.
Now. If my art just wasn’t working, if it wasn’t selling or connecting and I was in debt to myself or anyone else, I’d reconsider how much time I was putting into it.
Basically, if your art works, keep going. Even if you make a single piece a year. Doodle. Make your own clothes. Make shit in whatever capacity you’ve got.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://almadearte.shop
- Instagram: @alma_dearte_
- Facebook: AlmadeArteCO
