We were lucky to catch up with Natalia Melville recently and have shared our conversation below.

Natalia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I have been a henna artist for the last 10 years. I am a self-taught, henna artist. I have been drawing, since I was six years old. I grew interest for Henna when my coworker, while I was in college did henna work on me. During that time I was doing artwork on cakes and I knew with her doing that work on me I can do it on myself. I asked her to get me henna cones, and I started practicing on myself every day, any part of my body that I could reach.
No, I would not have done anything else to speed up the learning process because I needed the time to learn the craft and be effort less at what I am now.
Also, looking at other henna artist, it helped me create my own style.
The skills that were most essential during this journey definitely having the passion for drawing, patience to learn this new tool, which is in the shape of a cone and may I add time and more time was, and still is a necessity.
The obstacles which stood in the way of me learning more, was having a full-time job, and now having a child definitely had an impact, so every time I have free time, I try to learn a new design.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into this craft when my coworker who is from Bangladesh did henna work on my arms several times. The more she worked on me the more I knew that I can do this because it was familiar to the art I did on cakes.

My brand provides Henna body art work, henna art classes, henna merch and I currently added lash services and my jewelry line “Bacchanal Gold”.

What sets me apart from others I am very flexible when it comes to my clients working a 9 to 5. Sometimes my hours can be tricky, so I always find somewhere to put them in so they can be blessed with the HennaDready experience.
But also sets me apart from others my artwork, being temporary, especially for those who are afraid of getting tattoos and boosting clients confidence when I do coverups on their scars for trips.
One of my most proudest accomplishment is being a part of essence, Fest in 2019, as I worked with a brand doing my henna.

I would like clients, followers, and fans to know that my henna is my form of art therapy. I love adorning my clients and the feelings my clients leave with such as “ they love the compliments is that they get while walking down the street, or in another country”,” make them feel like a bad ass and cool”,” they feel liberated”and “ feel empowered when they see it on their hands”. My goal is also to make henna a self care option .

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal thats is driving my creative journey is to open a studio that caters fully to henna which also includes henna classes in the form of a selfcare class working on drawing and painting mandalas. My studio also will be covered in murals i have created .

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Most rewarding aspect of being creative is be liberated with my art form and being able to meet so many people that I never thought I would have met, for instance the person who recommended me to your site ! Its truly a blessing

Contact Info:

• Instagram: HennaDready

Image Credits
This image was taken at an event called HUE by NaturalPartnersInCrime