We were lucky to catch up with Nathalie Kalbach recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nathalie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The question of how an artist has taken risks is fascinating, because choosing to be an artist seems inherently like a path of risk-taking. My journey began with an early setback – in school in Germany, after a wonderfully encouraging art teacher left, their replacement watched me attempt my first sketch and declared, ‘Nathalie, you really have no talent for this.’ So I did what seemed logical – I studied law and became a paralegal, finding meaning in pro bono and asylum seeker cases.
But art kept calling, and my first real risk was letting myself explore it again. I taught myself various techniques, started a blog sharing my creative journey, and began teaching workshops – first in Germany, then across Europe and the U.S. The bigger risk came when I left my secure legal career to become a full-time teaching artist, giving myself a three-year window to make it work. This leap led me to teach worldwide, from Singapore to Australia to Israel, while developing licensed designs for art and craft companies.
Parallel to teaching, I pursued my passion for painting urban environments, exploring stories hidden in historic buildings and city landscapes. I took another significant risk by creating ‘Creative JumpStart Summit,’ an annual online workshop platform featuring including me 31 artists, drawing over 2,000 students yearly – this was before online teaching was common.
A personal risk came in 2013 when my husband and I relocated from Germany to the U.S. While we had connections here, it meant fully committing to my artistic path with no fallback to my legal career. The business grew successfully – I wrote ‘Artful Adventures in Mixed Media,’ expanded my workshops, and hired staff. But success brought its own challenges – my personal art took a backseat to make my art business work.
The pandemic ironically brought my most successful online event, but also clarity about my growing burnout. I took perhaps my boldest risk yet – announcing a sabbatical in 2023, ending my signature annual event, and letting go of in-person teaching. I used this time to become a student again – taking pottery and stained glass classes, pursuing a Historic Preservation certificate at NYU, and writing. This year also brought a solo exhibition at the Museum of Jersey City History.
Life took an unexpected turn with a breast cancer diagnosis in 2024, but it’s given me perspective on risk-taking. Now, I’m embarking on my next risk – combining my love for painting, historic preservation, and writing in ways I’m still discovering, I have no idea how this will work out but looking back, I realize that while I never knew how my risks would turn out, staying curious and open to opportunities has always guided my path forward.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey into the arts is perhaps as unconventional as my approach to creating art itself. What began as a creative sanctuary from my work as a paralegal evolved into a deep exploration of storytelling through mixed media art, with a particular focus on urban landscapes and architectural narratives.
Based in Jersey City, I create vibrant mixed media artwork that captures the soul of urban environments. My pieces combine various paint mediums and collage materials to tell stories of buildings, neighborhoods, and the subtle changes that shape our cities. What sets my work apart is how it weaves together visual art with historical research – each piece is not just a representation of a place, but an exploration of its hidden stories and cultural significance.
This intersection of art and history has led me to advocate for historic preservation. This deeply influences my artistic practice, as I believe understanding our built environment’s history helps us better appreciate and protect these spaces for future generations.
One of my proudest achievements has been creating platforms for artistic growth and community building. For 11 years, I hosted the Creative JumpStart Summit, an annual online event bringing together 30 artists and over 2,000 participants worldwide. This experience, along with teaching workshops across multiple continents, showed me the power of art to connect people across cultures and skill levels.
Beyond traditional artwork, I offer unique team-building workshops where corporate groups can explore creativity while learning about their local environment or company history through art. These sessions combine my mixed media techniques with storytelling and historical elements, creating an experience that goes beyond typical creative workshops.
My work has been recognized through licensing deals with major art companies and features in various publications. In 2017, I published “Artful Adventures in Mixed Media,” sharing techniques inspired by observation and experience. Currently, I’m working on a new book, “If These Walls Could Talk,” which explores my house’s history in Jersey City – a project that perfectly embodies my passion for combining art, history, and storytelling.
What I want people to know about my work is that it’s not just about creating visually striking pieces – it’s about encouraging others to see their environment differently. Whether through my artwork, workshops, or writing, my mission is to help people discover the beauty in urban spaces and understand the stories embedded in the architecture around us. I believe that by connecting with these stories, we develop a deeper appreciation for our communities and their preservation.
I’m particularly proud of how my work has evolved to embrace both artistic expression and historical documentation. Each piece I create serves as both an artwork and a record of our changing urban landscape, capturing moments in time while celebrating the ongoing evolution of our cities.
For those interested in working with me or collecting my art, know that you’re not just getting a piece of artwork – you’re becoming part of a larger narrative about urban life, preservation, and the importance of documenting our built environment through creative expression. Whether it’s through my mixed media paintings, workshops, or writing, I hope to create work that inspires people to look more closely at their surroundings and discover the extraordinary stories hidden in ordinary places.

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

One thing that often surprises people when we talk about my journey as an artist is learning that I don’t have a formal art education. There’s sometimes this assumption that you need to follow a traditional path – art school, gallery representation, and so on. But what I’ve discovered, both through my own experience and meeting other artists, is that there are many ways to develop as an artist. My previous life as a paralegal, which might seem completely unrelated, actually gave me wonderful tools I use every day – like how to research building histories or manage complex projects.
Coming to art without formal training has been a gift in its own way. It let me explore and experiment freely, following my curiosity rather than a set curriculum. This journey of discovery led me to develop my own approach to mixed media and my fascination with urban landscapes.
Another thing that often comes up in conversations is the assumption that artists have this wonderfully free-flowing lifestyle, painting whenever inspiration strikes. I have to smile when I hear this because the reality of my day looks quite different! Like many artists I know, I keep pretty regular studio hours. While I might not be actively painting for eight hours straight, my days are full with research about buildings I’m painting, taking reference photos, writing, managing the business side of things, and of course, the never-ending task of cleaning art supplies!
Being an artist means wearing many hats – you’re not just creating art, you’re also learning to photograph your work, maintain a website, handle social media, manage finances, and continually develop new skills. It’s a path that requires showing up every day, even when inspiration isn’t flowing freely.
What I’ve learned along the way is that creativity isn’t just about making art – it’s about finding solutions, trying new approaches, and staying curious. Every piece I work on is part of an ongoing learning process, and I’m grateful for each challenge that helps me grow as an artist.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There’s one book that has been absolutely transformative in my creative journey – ‘The War of Art’ by Steven Pressfield. A friend gave it to me early in my artistic path, and I’ve returned to it countless times over the years. Each reading brings new insights and helps put things into perspective. In fact, just answering this question makes me want to pick it up again!
But I have to say that my most significant ‘resource’ isn’t a book or video at all – it’s the incredible community of artists and creatives I’ve connected with over the years. Coming from a legal background, I’ve been consistently amazed by the generosity and openness I’ve found in the creative world. The willingness to share knowledge, experiences, and support is unlike anything I experienced in law.
One of my most cherished resources is a small group of creative friends who check in with each other almost daily. We’re scattered across different continents and haven’t seen each other in person for years, but our group chat is a constant source of inspiration, support, and practical knowledge. We share everything from personal updates to marketing questions, from exciting new art supplies to technical challenges. This ongoing conversation has become an invaluable part of my creative practice.
Beyond this core group, I’ve been fortunate to connect with several mentors who have profoundly influenced my creative thinking and practice over the years. Their guidance and wisdom have shaped not just how I approach my art, but how I think about creativity and business.
I’ve learned that in the creative world, knowledge flows both ways – to be a resource for others is to receive resources in return. This spirit of sharing and mutual support has been one of the most unexpected and wonderful discoveries of my artistic journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.natkalbach.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natkalbach/
• Other: substack: https://natkalbach.substack.com/