Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natalie Daratony. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Natalie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

For me, it is essential to not leave too much space between the moment of dream/idea and the actual physical manifestation of that idea. I have noticed that the longer I wait before just diving into something, the more fear, doubt, and excuses have room to creep in and suffocate the excitement of the unknown out of the project. The moment of the big jump from idea to physical exploration of that idea is the most exciting moment and the moment that ignites the entire project. The unknown should be the excitement that keeps the projects’ wonderment and experimentation continually unfolding. If you sit in the over-thinking stage, you lose traction and try to control too much instead of experiencing it. I have found that I am merely a conduit of the piece, I have been given the responsibility to bring the piece to life and the most sincere expression of that piece can only come when you step into flow and fun!

Natalie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a muralist and artist in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am diving into being a full-time artist for the first time in my life and career. Being an artist has always been a “side gig” or “hobby” but, for the first time, I am taking myself and my craft seriously enough to shake someone’s hand and say “Hello, my name is Natalie, and I am an artist”. I never feel more at peace and more alive than when there is paint on my hands and a blank space before me ready for new color and a new story. I seek to create art that represents nature and movement which is meant to calm the viewer.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“What are you working on? What’s your next project?” This is the key phrase I have had to unlearn. I saw that in my art community, this is the way we would greet each other. Immediately following a hello, this question would pop up. Although there is nothing inherently wrong about asking this question, it would always feel, to me, to completely bypass the person in front of us and reiterate the false belief that we are measured by our projects. We are taught that we are only as successful as our next project, our next mural, our next client. By only asking what someone is going to do next in their art instead of asking how they are, how life has been, what have they been thinking about, we are not valuing their humanity first and reminding them that they are so much more than the art they are producing.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is when a passerby just happens upon my art and it really draws them in, catches their eye, and touches their heart. There is so much begging for our attention and I have learned that I do not have to beg for someone to see, feel, and love my art. My art will find the right people and the right people will find my art, don’t ever force it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nataliedaratonyart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliedaratonyart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560531504359
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliedaratony/

Image Credits

Flower Mural on White wall from @downtownbelmont