Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Allgyer

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

All of this started in 2015, shortly after my daughter was born. I loved photographing her, mostly with my phone at first. A couple of years later, both of my parents got sick and passed away, leaving me with a lot of healing to do from that ordeal. The loss of hope was what I grieved the most.

During this time, I picked up a real camera and learned how to use it. This was incredibly healing for me. Taking photos of the world around me forced me to slow down and appreciate the beauty in my surroundings. Then, I began to imagine surrealistic worlds in my mind, beyond what my eyes could see. So, I learned how to wield Photoshop. I was quite successful in creating and selling those images!

After COVID, my family and I decided it was time to make some big changes. We packed up and moved to Amsterdam. I knew that moving and getting settled would take all of my energy, and that I wouldn’t have time to be creative in the way I was used to. Plus, my desktop was packed away and shipped off for a few months.

At this point in my artistic journey, I was eager to learn digital painting. The ideas in my head had become too far out there for Photoshop to handle effectively, so I enrolled in an online course called Paintable. It took me two years to complete, because, well, life.

These days, I spend my time honing this new craft so that I can relaunch my art brand with a fresh perspective. I’ve been practicing drawing every single day for over two and a half years

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

I know that I am supposed to say that I really struggled with creating art, but I didn’t. I love to learn. I love to grow. I love to evolve. Is the learning and creating frustrating at times? Sure! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Growth is never comfortable. If you are comfortable. You aren’t growing.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

These days I specialize in digital painting. I love being able work on my iPad and to take my projects anywhere I go. Plus I have every color in nature at my fingertips and about 100 brushes. I’m very proud of the bravery that it took to step away from conceptual photography and into a medium that makes my soul sing so much louder.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

I would have to say my husband. He’s always been my biggest cheerleader. He is my partner in everything, and the solid rock that keeps me grounded. We have been living and working together in the same space (different jobs) for over 16 years. Nobody knows me as inside out as him and no one ever will. So when I am unhappy he is the first one to encourage me to change things.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @natalieallgyer