What do you enjoy about working with found materials?
In my Black & White series, I would find old books with
amazing old photos and I’d add little things to them,
drawings and writing. This was a fun way for me to express
some of my thoughts in a quick, frameable way.On your website you mention sourcing old frames for new
artworks. Why is that important to you?
Many things used to be made better and that age adds an
element of charm. Some of my paintings live in ornate old
frames, sourced from flea markets and thrift stores.Do you have any upcoming shows or projects?
I have a few murals to paint this summer. One is going to
be a dragon on the side of a retro Chinese restaurant, which
I am very excited about. I am also working on a new body of
work for a show at Little Bench Art Center in November.
http://www.nataliebessellart.comWhat are the drawbacks of working closely with nature?
There is this constant battle between my studio and the
elements: little canyon mice find their way in, I vacuum
spider webs and within the next day they are back, the
sunlight fades books, any paper products warp from the
humidity at night – yet with all of this, I still love it. It feels
light and airy. You know that feeling you get when you are
inside all day? You can’t even remember what the air feels
like, or the wind, or the sun, you don’t even know what the
weather is like. With this studio, I never have to experience
that – it’s all right there with me the whole time.Do you complete your digital work in the same space?
Sometimes I work digitally in my studio, but most times,
I work from my coffee table. It just ends up that way
because I have my tea in the morning and open my laptop.
The style for my digital works tends to be more minimalist
and my paintings tend to be more detailed and illustrative.What helps you to focus artistically?
Sometimes it’s as easy as walking into the studio. Other
times I have no idea what I want to paint or even which
direction I want to go in. In those times, I try to focus on
what I want to say in my art, what I see that has meaning
to me, or that I might be able to make have meaning to
other people. That’s the hardest part for most artists: the
concept. And then loving that concept enough to execute it.EN PLEIN AIR
Natalie’s studio
leaves her open
to the elements
and lets her get
close to nature. I can look out my window
and find a reference for a
painting without moving