Natalie Uhrik
Q. How did you start your artistic journey?
A. It all started after a seed was planted in my head by an artist I met as a young child. Naturally good with my hands, much like my father, I played with paint and clay sculpture in high school. Graduating from Sydney College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Visual Arts majoring in ceramics – mainly mould work and throwing. But as life happened, art took a step to the side. I got caught up with family and the need to earn a “proper” living. Clouded by the idea that artists don’t make money until they pass on an and not really having any support to keep pushing the passion which resided in my heart.
After many years working in hospitality and a strong
urge to channel my creative energies, I picked up a brush and began to play. Some years later, whilst on a family vacation, I met an artist that had a similar art story to
mine who was becoming quite successful, making a living
selling her work. I thought to myself, I can do that…
and so I did.
Q. How would you describe your artistic style?
A. My abstract landscapes are heavily textured and evocative with layers of earthy tones and colour. The textures and tones create a sense of movement and fluidity, moving light across the canvas. I use line and repetition help to create a sense of calm and stillness
in my pieces.
Q. What inspires you to be creative? Is there a certain place you go for inspiration?
A. Travel sparks a flame in me. Particularly road trips.
I love the colours and textures in landscapes, particularly rural as well as sunsets/sunrise. I love the the way the light glows on the horizon and the colours blur into each other. Another place where one can get lost in the moment and forget the reality.
Q. What is your favourite colour? Does it describe you
as a person?
A. I am drawn to earthy tones. Australian gum, ocean
blues, warm siena and natural ochres. That connection
to the land. Grounded. Recently I have been incorporating fluorescents, mainly orange and pink. I love the stark contrast between the earthy tones and the way it shines
off the canvas creating a sense of light and energy.
Q. Could you share with us a particular journey or location that has profoundly influenced your artwork?
A. Not one particular location, rather a longing to travel
anywhere. Travel as well as art is a strong passion of
mine. Whilst I have done a fair bit of travel in my days,
I can never get enough. The experiences, people I have
met, challenges have all helped shaped me as a person.
Journey? Well that has got to be my spiritual one.
Understanding my divine purpose, finding inner calm and
self acceptance, becoming one with the universe. This also ties in with my travels. This is an ongoing journey, one that my art plays a prominent role in.
Q. Could you elaborate on how music influences the mood and direction of your artwork?
A. Music plays a major role in how I communicate form
onto canvas. I paint from a deep subconscious; letting go and trusting my intuition. With music, I create free-flowing layers of colour and spontaneous movements, creating feelings of calm, gratitude, contentment, optimism
and acceptance.
Q. The texture in your paintings is emphasised, with layers of lines and colour. How do you build these layers?
A. My paintings are built up of many layers. I use heavy body acrylics and various mediums to help build up the textures. Adding colour and scraping them back. I often finish a piece and come back to it, paint over it. Giving it more depth.
Q. What do you enjoy most about working with textures
and layers in your paintings?
A. I love the sense of history a piece gains when layered
over and over. The colours are rich, the textures and line
tell a story. Much like the wrinkles on ones face or on an
aging leather lounge.
Q. Are there any specific artists or movements that have
influenced your style or approach to art?
A. There are so many artists that have influenced my style and growth as an artist but the one that stands out and likely many have never had heard of is a Croatian artist, Severino Majkus. He is an old friend of my fathers who once came to stay with us when I was only about 10 years old. He would talk about how artists see the world in a different light, in different versions, each to their own. He was a humble man, living out the back of his van, travelling and painting with oil on scraps of board. He drew inspiration from landscapes and still life. I love the stillness of his pieces as well as his use of colour and the way in which he captures light and contrast.
Q. Can you describe a specific piece of art that holds
a special memory or significance to you?
A. A piece I created titled, I Still Need Love. She hangs
in my room above my bed. I could not come to terms to
sell her. She speaks to me like no other. One of my earlier white line meditation pieces. She is clarity, gentle, warm, light. Available as a print as I wanted to share her energy with others.
What do you hope viewers feel or experience when they
encounter your paintings?
A. I hope the viewer feels a sense of ease and calm. To sit back and escape their thoughts, exploring the layers and finding solace and comfort in a time of stress or sadness.
Q. Do your artworks communicate a particular message
or emotional expression?
A. My paintings explore notions of spirituality, seeking meaning through connections to nature and art and the idea that there is something bigger than ourselves – the divine energy. It is a universal human experience something that touches us all.