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

Natalie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

When covid first hit everything became a risk. It seemed as though time was stagnant. Being a 20 year old student(at the time) was hard. Pursuing a creative career and not having access to “hands on” learning was even harder. That’s when I decided to take my first risk. I took a sabbatical for a whole semester. This semester took me away from the traditional learning and led me into developing “real world” skills. It is this period of time that I have to thank for making me the person/artist I am today. From networking with other creatives to creating projects for the community to enjoy. It was my passion to try and pave the way to inspire others.

Fast forward, to last summer. My second biggest risk. This risk was a leap of faith because I had to find my way navigating around the “Big Apple” as a young female. But it led me to what I would say was a turning point in my career. Thanks to a help of a friend and a local car business in Brooklyn, NYC. I had the opportunity to paint a mural for them with spray paint for the first time. Due to the quick trip, this project helped me discover what kind of craft I’d like to pursue. Murals.

Lastly, my most recent risk. The wall. I decided to tackle a 13 x 68 ft. mural in Greensboro, NC. This project took me almost 4 months. From with bearing the hot parts of the summer to the freezing cold of the winter. This work tested my strength in every way. In addition to the climate, I had the challenge of painting 10 realistic figures that are recognizable to the public. Influencers such as, Jay-Z, Michael Jordan, Rihanna, etc. This whole wall was completed with spray paint, even with having little experience with this medium.

Overall, risks are the foundations of growth and change that shape the development of an evolving human being. I am fortunate enough to say that it is because of these three key risks that I will always say yes to every opportunity and persist in making my dreams happen. Which will hopefully inspire others to go after their desires in life.

Always say yes, believe in yourself, and take that risk.

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

Hi, I’m Natalie and I am (a Charlotte-based) artist currently pursuing my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro, specializing in Graphic Design.

From Mickalene Thomas to Amy Sherald to Roxanna Hall, I believe that artists have a mission to see things from a different view. Seeing things from a unique perspective leads to changes in attitude…And changes in attitude lead to real progress as a society. Per Oscar Wilde: “No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.”
As a 21-year old female in the art community, I’ve had success. However, time and again, I’ve had to prove to the “powers that be” that my capabilities are not limited by my age. I believe that an artist should be an activist for social justice and change, and the time to engage is always now.

Ultimately, it is my mission as an artist to celebrate our diverse communities of color, gender, sexual orientation, etc. People are art. I hope my art reflects this motive and reminds us to embrace our differences and admire our unique qualities.

In the classic work of literature, Red Fish, Blue Fish, One Fish, Two Fish, Dr. Seuss notes: “From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.” Such is my perspective on life and has served as an inspiration in my pursuit of a career as a professional artist. I consider myself to be unconventional – a common characteristic of persons in art communities. Like other artists, I tend to view things in a nonconformist way, to see sparkle in the mundane, and the amazing in the ordinary. There is creativity all around us. For me it may be sparked by almost anything – the pattern of debris along the side of a road; the sights and sounds at a Waffle House at 2am; a quiet walk in the woods; or a Friday night rerun of an old Bob Ross episode. Whatever the case, my hope is that my work makes the community feel at home and to appreciate all the little things in life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

“The greatest measure of success is how we treat other people.” This is something my dad has taught me growing up and I deem it to be very true in our society. Art is subjective, some people will like your work and some people won’t. Same is true with people. Not everyone will like you, and that’s okay. But do you try to change yourself to fit in with a crowd who does not see your worth? Do you try to make artwork just to please the people who don’t like it? No. You hold your ground. You will find your target audience. You will find your group of people. So in the short answer, the most rewarding part about being an artist is being yourself. That same kid inside you that got you to where you are now. Don’t change for anyone. Help others along the way. Community is what holds us together, have empathy for those around you. Let people know  you appreciate them every single day. Never take the mind of a creative for granted. Always practice the golden rule. Respect is so important in this field of work, and in any field for that matter. We need to remember that everyone is striving to be the best they can be every single day. By recognizing this, it’s essential to help others out because that’s how we become successful.

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

Artists are the backbone of our society. There is art all around us. From music, to architecture, to paintings, to even ideas. Life would be black and white without art. My short and simple answer would be, spread the word. Shout-out artists whenever possible. Mention another artist when there is a job opportunity. Like, follow, and repost on socials. These are all small things that we could all do to help support other creatives. Just word of mouth goes a long way and brings the community together even more. Like any other field, artists want to feel respected, they want to feel important. So let them know what they are worth and truly what they bring to society. Words of affirmations is sometimes all we need to keep the passion alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.natalierobinson.work
• Instagram: natalierobinson_art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalie.robinson.969952/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalierobinson9/