Artist Spotlight: Natasha Charlotte
Gallery 8 is pleased to present works by Natasha Charlotte, an artist whose practice explores emotion, intuition and quiet narrative through contemporary expression.
Natasha is a mixed media artist with an impressionistic edge. Her artistic style may loosely fall under the traditional definition of Romantic Impressionism. Natasha's love of and skill for art began as early as she was able to hold coloured pencils. Often, her mother would comment that she thought Natasha was a colourist. Naturally gifted with colour. Many hours of her youth Natasha found solace in colouring and creation. By the age of 14 Natasha’s talents were recognised by her school art teacher and at 15 she was enrolled into an extracurricular adults only live drawing program. Upon completion of this program Natasha was offered the opportunity to submit her work as a part of an early acceptance scholarship for Visual Arts with Griffith University Queensland. At the age of 17, the first term of her final year of school Natasha was notified that she had been successful in her scholarship attempt. She had been accepted into university and was enrolled to study a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Fine Arts. Natasha completed her BVA in FA majoring in Illustration by 2004 and was awarded Distinction and High Distinctions upon graduation. Natasha had then been accepted into Masters enrolment to study fine art artistic history and philosophy however, owing to life unfolding Natasha was unable to complete her original master's enrolment at the time. Though recently achieved that milestone completing her Mastery in Fine Arts with Milan Art Institute USA in 2024. Raised in the beauty of tropical South East Queensland Australia Natasha is easily inspired by the natural beauty of her hometown the Gold Coast.
Natasha’s personal story is deeply embedded within every piece she creates. It is her belief that sanctuary and having a space to rest not merely sleep is a fundamental human need. “When I was determining what inspired me most deeply, I took that originating point to a moment in the garden with my dog Tank. I loved watching how content and at ease he was. Our garden still, quiet with no words spoken yet, he and I content. When I contemplate this moment with Tank and what it truly represented to me, I realised that I was happy to see what I loved safe. I was happy to see myself safe, free from terror and abuse.” Natashas work is driven by her passion for serenity, with ink being a favoured part of her process. Natasha uses ink as the base of each creation. “Ink is the time I make an initial connection with an artwork, like the beginning of a relationship. Ink behaves in a manner that is fluid yet static. There is a need for commitment. There is a steadiness to that which, allows me to feel at ease. The idea of commitment is assuring.” Natasha's work translates the value of quiet moments in life. The self-assuring reality of providence; the belief in a higher power or nature as a spiritual force and its ability to support us.
