We recently connected with Natalia Valle and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Natalia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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.

Painting has been a passion of mine for a long time. There was always something about that particular art form that I connected with. However as a young girl, my introduction to art was really the base of it all – drawing. As early as four years old, I would pick up any crayon, marker or pencil and draw houses and trees in every blank sheet of paper I found. Even at a young age, I knew the importance of refining a skill like drawing. All the years of sketching and doodling on napkins or newspapers and magazines led me to finally be excited to begin translating drawings into paintings. In high school I began my painting path with some trepidation at the start. It was an adjustment to be able to “control” the process because I was afraid of making mistakes and completely start from scratch. What I found however, was a whole different world of possibilities for creating a single line with a paint brush and acrylics, and watercolors. Then, the process became about learning to paint versus learning to draw. I had to think in terms of value but in color now. Light and shadows, proportion, depth, perspective, are all drawing based. Now my challenge became translating it with vibrant colors that would enhance the drawing. I wasn’t great at it right away. I still don’t think I’m a master at it. Any obstacles I might have had learning to paint were really more on my own expectations. I probably was comparing myself to other better skilled, more experienced painters. Art has taught me to be patient (with my pieces). You cannot speed up the process because a lot of times a mistake gets made when you rush through steps. All that said, patience and passion are the most essential to me. One cannot be creative one hundred percent of the time, and that’s okay. Everyone has a different pace and experiences to help them get to their skills.

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 am a fine artist painter from Los Angeles, California. I grew up in Guatemala for most of my childhood which is where I draw inspiration for most of my work. Textiles, landscapes, nature, shapes, architecture, interior spaces, and cultures also play a vital role in my creative process as they are my main interests. My main work includes a series of cacti paintings and Guatemalan landscapes with textures and shapes being a key element in my work. I mostly paint in canvas and paper. I like to combine different mediums such as paper, twine, leaves, card board and different paints to create a tactile aesthetic. I also love earth tones and gold and most of my work reflects my love of classic calming colors.
When I let my paintings rest, I also love to craft my own greeting cards and it’s a not so quiet passion of mine these days. Holiday season is my favorite time to make these to spread the friendly seasonal spirit. Calligraphy, place cards and sign making is also a way I keep creating and stay inspired.
I’m a firm believer that a beautifully crafted piece makes the difference in everything! I know there’s many ways to create art and technology certainly serves a purpose these days, but I do believe that handmade art is truly special. There is much to see in a handmade piece that would not be in a mass produced item. That is what my work really reflects. My work is intricate, detailed and textured and takes time to create.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I have these conversations all the time with my friends and my peers. In a society like ours that undervalues but also values creativity, there is still some resistance to fully nurturing a creative mind from a young age. We are taught that going to college and earning a degree will make you successful, but for a lot of living artists that is not a reality. Education is expensive, and it does not guarantee a steady income in a creative field. The best way to support artists is by allowing them to grow their own way. There is not one way to do everything. When someone shows me how they’ve added my art in their home or their space, it reaffirms my belief in myself. Sharing the work, talking about the work of your local artist/creator makes it easier to embrace different artists in my opinion.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Again, this is a topic that I love to talk about because art is subjective. There is a market for almost anything these days, and art is no exception. My own style is very specific and is for any one that likes my aesthetic. I have my own likes and dislikes with my memories and experiences and that’s why I create what I create. I don’t believe in making anything for the masses really. My work as previously stated, is intricate at times, with details that take time and patience to complete. For any non creative person that might not understand my journey in the art field, not everything is a linear path. Sometimes the way I problem solve is different. I still try to figure it out every day. I take my time, I don’t let anyone pressure me or influence how I do things, and I never will. Timing is everything or at least, it’s a big part of my development as a human and artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nataliavalleart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nvice_art/