We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nathalie Tierce a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nathalie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I am extremely happy as a creative. By happy, I mean that whatever challenges creative work brings, the stress is worth it for the profound satisfaction of visual problem-solving.
I’ve had many jobs, mostly connected to my artistic sensibilities, skills, and experience (scenic artist, illustrator, muralist, designer, and architectural color consultant). I have also done jobs that were just for the money. Work that doesn’t offer gratification other than earning a living depresses me.
So, do I wonder what it would be like to have a regular profession? Flat out no.
Nathalie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I began training as an artist at The High School of Art and Design in New York City at 14. I studied illustration and theater craft. I majored in painting at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, and L’ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.
My professional life as an artist has gone through many iterations.
I worked as an artist for theatrical events, Disney theme parks, movies and TV shows, and massive public gatherings like Rolling Stones concerts in London.
After ten years of living abroad, I returned to The States. I continued painting special effects for everything from music videos to films (including projects like Tim Burton’s Alice and Scorcese’s Shutter Island). Eventually, I segwayed into large-scale site-specific murals.
When I became pregnant with my son Joshua, I realized I couldn’t maintain a crew for large mural projects. I had to rethink what the next phase in my creative development would be.
I had been unofficially advising clients on interior and exterior architectural color schemes for many years. I had an epiphany that this could be the next logical step.
Reaching out to all the building contractors and other connections I had made as a muralist, I formally offered my services as a color consultant, and the business took off.
While working as a color consultant, a few notable things happened. In addition to giving me more time to spend with my son, not having to worry about creating and completing commissions allowed me to focus on painting what I wanted to paint.
I settled into my studio routine and started doing paintings that would eventually come together as a collection. Early on, I participated in group exhibits and later had my own solo shows.
Around 2017, someone commented that my paintings looked heavily influenced by fairy tales like The Brothers Grimm and would make a fantastic book. I started working to put together a collection of my visual allegories accompanied by my short, sometimes humorous verse. I released my first book, Fairy Tale Remnants, in 2019, aimed primarily at adults. I published two more books, Pulling Weeds from a Cactus Garden- Life is Full of Pricks, and this September, I published Chronicles of Fear – Tales of Woe. Both of these books focus on giving symbolic form to the forces of modern life that make living difficult. I think of them as surreal fairy tales for grown-ups.
These books have been a way to connect my artwork and thoughts about finding the sublime in the chaotic with a larger audience.
This November, I’m very excited to have a solo show at Brassworks Gallery in Portland, OR, featuring many illustrations from my book, Chronicles of Fear – Tales of Woe.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One of my greatest joys as a creator is witnessing how my words and imagery connect with viewers on a deep level. It’s an incredible feeling to know that I can offer someone a new perspective or a way of expressing themselves that they may not have considered before.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I want to think that there is a healing aspect to what I have to offer as an artist with a vision. My characters’ struggles are ones that all people will face somehow. I hope that finding the beauty and even the humor within these otherwise difficult emotions will help people feel mentally lighter and stronger.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nathalietierce.com
- Instagram: Nathalie Tierce
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.tierce
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/custom-color-and-art-glendale?osq=custom+color+and+art
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nathalietierce5
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Fear-Nathalie-Francoise-Tierce/dp/B0CGL86FST
Image Credits
All image credits belong to me, Nathalie Tierce