Artist Spotlight: Natalie Neumann

Last week we had the incomparable Steph Jordan in the Spotlight which brought more traffic to this blog than any one thing that I've ever shared with the art world and for that I must say a sincere, Thank you Stephanie for blessing us with your vision, vitality and verve! You really got the energy moving around here.

This week we have another charming woman. One who will surprise you with a combination of depth, talent and childlike love for playing. This woman has created a wonder-filled network where people feel safe to let down their guard, where they are experimenting with new art techniques, fashion concepts and a deeper understanding of self expression.

This young woman is a truly “old soul” as the expression goes and she's not afraid to touch life. If you don't already know her, it is my proud pleasure to introduce my friend, Natalie Neumann of Vienna Austria.

1) Natalie~ When you think about your first inkling of being an artist is there a story that comes to mind? 

Oh, that is a tough question. Because I was always creative in some kind of way. There was no time in my life when I was not drawing, crafting or painting. Go ask my mother, she can tell you all sorts of stories about painted floors or walls (sometimes not even in our own house) and other "embellished" things. I think my first "drawing" leads back to the time where I was 6 months old. 

Later, when I was about 5 years old, I totally was in love with MY LITTLE PONY (well, I was born in the 80´s and I still love them today, ha!), but of course I could not have every single one of them. So I drew them, cut them out (they had 2 sides like a papercraft and could stand) and made them a paddock with some fresh grass and flowers. Everything was done with layered techniques, watercolor, pencils, glitter and glue and all that looooooooooooong before I came to know the term "mixed media".

It seems like this is what we all have been waiting for and I am happy to live today, where we have internet and more art supplies to be creative.

2) How or where do you work best and when? Any stories connected with how that works for you?

Considering how different my schedule can look like, I think it depends. I can either be an early bird, get up at 5 and work til I fall asleep. Or I stay up late, until 3 or 4 am and sleep til noon. For me I´d rather go for the early bird, because I love having done a lot of things til lunch. It gives me the feeling of control. But when passion grows over reason, I simply can´t just stop working. I have to go on until things look the way I want them too. (erm, don´t ask me how often that happens, it seems like I have no sense for sleeping schedules at all).

My boyfriend has kind of a hard life with me. Imagine a completely excited girl jumping around on your bed, waving some piece of drawing and asking "What do you think?....Oh sorry, were you tired?"

Since our apartment is rather small, I work everywhere except for the bathroom (wait, now you got me thinking, I guess there is some unused potential to that place....).

3) Will you share with our readers about how you get the juices flowing, where you draw your daily inspirations from and or overcoming the inner critic?

I love technology and I am so happy to be alive RIGHT NOW, because the internet is really the best when it comes down to getting inspired.

Nothing is better than getting up and having a random look at ffffound.com or etsy or deviantart. But I don´t like to spend too much time looking at pictures, because you end up wasting time on the internet without being creative yourself. I kind of have that inner drive that pushes me to do things.

It is rather that my juices are flowing all the time and I have to get some of it out quickly or the idea might be lost. (Moleskines and writing down things are a BIG thing!)

4) Are there any artful challenges that you overcame that inspired you to move in a new direction?

I don´t think that I need challenges to move to a new direction. Some things came up for me as I worked as a graphic designer, like porcelain design or animation.

But it´s not like I part with these things when I move on to something else (like last year it was fabric and sewing). I love to learn and combine things.

Maybe it is the way I was brought up, my mother was always an influence, she had various interests and it just became natural to me to adopt that kind of behaviour. She was a graphic designer with her own agency and now she is a farmer working with organic roses and herbs, making awesome products like facial cream and lip balm. Staying curious is one of the blessings in my life.

5) How do you market yourself? Do you have a marketing or press package? If you have an "elevator spiel" or "cocktail party" response to "So, what do you do?" that inspires people to want to know more, will you share it with our readers?

I don´t really market myself. I like to meet new people and once they ask me about my life so far, it surely never is a short response that I can give them.

Because it was never just "the one thing" that I did. I started studying journalism, but quickly moved on to graphic design. I have amongst others been a theater director and a puppeteer, a porcelain designer, a crafts teacher and I have moved around quite a lot. 

So it is never the same story that I tell until I come to the point where the Vanillery Garden came into being. It has been a huge development. If I want to keep it short, it might be "I teach people to be themselves and to go back to their roots through art. Online." (and you have to know that in Europe teaching arts online is quite a new thing. So I always get many "ooohs" and "aaahs"). Since the Vanillery Garden is quite a new place in the online art scene, I guess I haven´t developed my elevator pitch so far :D

Gotta work on that. Or simply go up and down the floors a couple of times. 

6) What's up for you in 2011 - anything you'd like to share?

2011 will be a lot of hard work, but also loads of fun ahead. I will finish the masterclass in graphic design in summer, (so I have to get my diploma done *sweat*), work hard to make everyone feel comfortable in the Vanillery Garden, get new classes out (like the next one will be about unicorns!), we will probably be kitten parents in April and much much more.

Next step is creating some calendar wallpapers for everyone to download on my blog.

I think that I have never been as happy in my life as I am now and it has to do with trying to be happy although not everything is perfect.

Oh, and by the way: The world will not come to an end in 2012. The change has already happened and we have to work on to make things even better.

So don´t live 2011 like it is your LAST year, but like it is your BEST!

XOXO,

Natalie

Natalie sculpts, sews, paints, draws, does amazing graphics work, and creates digital animations. She has been a theater director, puppeteer and crafts teacher... just WAIT until you see some of the things she makes... her etsy store goes online later this Winter. She makes us giggle with her facial expressions and you want to jump for joy when she does. 

Natalie can be found living and playing:

Homepage: www.vanillerygarden.com
blog: blog.vanillerygarden.com
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/flowernelly
Etsy shop is to come in march, but I´ll let you know as soon as it is there. You can be sure you'll be hearing a lot more from this artist! 

She is a woman who says this of herself: "I teach people to be themselves and to go back to their roots through art. Online."

To inquire about being in the Spotlight yourself email me:

julee@heartcollective.com

Now, Go GET your CRAFT ON!!!

xoxo

jul

New Feature: Artist's Spotlight

Artists with their work inspire us all... they touch our souls, make our hearts leap, and sometimes make us think or question the way we see things. Art is, among many things, evocative. We wonder... what did they use, what was the inspiration, how did they get this from mind to matter and then how did they get it from mind to matter and eventually to market.

Here, in this series about current artists, I'll ask a series of questions and allow the artist to take their direction with the interview... you'll be surprised where some of these go!

The FIRST artist in the Arist's Spotlight Series is someone I was sure about from the first time I met her a few years ago. Life is hers! She laughs OUT loud, is enjoying the journey and is one with nature. To say that she inspires in many ways all by herself is a bit of an understatement.

She shares recipes and healthful tips, teaches how to make cool mixed media journals and knits scarves. This power house has been making jewelry for over 20 years and when the mood is just right she paints dreamy paintings. Her sites are popular with readers, students and fellow artisans. This woman does it all and she does it all in the most colorful way imaginable!

She even has a theme song and produces her own show, check out Living In Color's own Stephanie Jordan! She'll be a house hold name, mark my word!

1) Steph, when you think about your first inkling of being an artist is there a story that comes to mind? 

Truthfully, to me I've always been an Artist. So I don't remember a specific story, but I do remember thinking I was different from kids around me because of my Artistic nature and their reactions LOL. And honestly, I liked it. I wrote poetry no one understood, tried to sing, dance (and still remember the couple of dances I learned in school and dance class LOL). If it was Artistic I went after it. This did tend to set me apart because at the time most kids just wanted to play with dolls and I wanted to make them shine! Sing dolly dance! LOL

2) How or where do you work best and when? Any stories connected with how that works for you?

Life generally sets the stage when I’m going to get creative. Pressure + product = collages and funky colorful art. Serenity + Good stuff = paintings, frilly art and Nature related art. I just realized that recently LOL.

I work best when my brain says ‘Art and that’s all there is’. It’s just like putting on a pair of shoes. I know I need them to go outside so I do it instinctively before I leave the house. I know I need Art so I just do it and I never know what the outcome will be. 

3) Will you share with our readers about how you get the juices flowing, where you draw your daily inspirations from and or overcoming the inner critic?

I’m an animated person in many ways so it doesn’t take much to get my creative juices flowing. I still want to see it all, craft it all, laugh at it all. A sound, a smell, a color, even my own art, because I paint imagination scenes, gets the energy moving.

I always talk about finding Inspiration in the most overlooked places and that works for me too. If I really want to create but can't seem to reach that zone I look outside of myself. A short walk, a creative show (love PBS and HGTV), even glancing over old photos can spur Inspiration. Paying attention to and appreciating things around us can be very inspirational. I used to make it a point to get up every morning and look outside before I even had coffee. Just a fresh view to get the day started would change my outlook and inspire me to create.

I personally think we can control and shut up that inner critic by showing who is boss. I wanted to paint for years. I am a big Bob Ross fan and would watch his show and think how amazing it would be to be able to just do it like he did. With love and passion and Happy Little trees. I couldn’t draw and kept telling myself that because I couldn’t draw, I couldn’t paint. One day I decided maybe I could paint without knowing how to draw LOL. So I started painting. No sketches or ideas, just a brush and a vision of some colorful energetic thing. I can’t even explain how good it feels to go into that Art and come out of the other side. Each piece consumes a small part of my soul while I’m creating it. And if you look at them you can draw your own message or dream from them. That’s what I came here to do!

A blank journal is a good way to begin to overcome the inner critic. Feeling Artsy, write it down, draw it, note it, every time. Keep that journal all about you and your artistic thoughts. You’ll be surprised what you learn about yourself. And most of all remember, Art is a precious gift. If you feel it, use it. It will definitely add color to your life and that’s a good thing.

4) Are there any artful challenges that you overcame that inspired you to move in a new direction?

I’d say the biggest one was going all in and putting fears and negative thoughts aside! I’ve always wanted to do nothing but my Art and Artful things with my life and career. When I decided that I was going for it with no holds it was scary and something that I’d put off for years and years. I was doing way too much and Art had begun to be swallowed up by the daily grind. 

Now that I’ve taken the road there’s no turning back. I want to Live Art, share Art, Teach Art, Talk about Art, you name it Art! And for the most part I do. Getting to the point of ‘do or die’ was the hardest part. I’m here now and just have to keep going and see where the road leads me. This year I’m concentrating more on getting into the media with Art. And without the challenges I’ve faced before now I don’t think I would have ever been ready to take the next steps.

5) How do you market yourself? Do you have a marketing or press package? If you have an "elevator spiel" or "cocktail party" response to "So, what do you do?" that inspires people to want to know more, will you share it with our readers?

Ha! I do have a “cocktail party” response. It’s “I’m an Artist!”  works every time. It’s my passion and hopefully that comes through. I love talking about Art so I’m always ready when people want to talk about it. As soon as someone says “So what kind of Art do you do?” the party really gets started. 

One day when the funds find me I’ll have myself a fancy new Marketing Rep. But in the mean time and in the real world LOL I do all that I can to keep my name flowing. I take advantage of free Marketing like Facebook and Blogging and have my own website. I have a newsletter, I visit Artful venues, meet people and give out lots of cards. I personalize everything I do. If I give you a business card you’ll remember its mine without really reading it. I put my stamp on me. No one should ever be able to represent you better than you can represent yourself. 

6) What's up for you in 2011 - anything you'd like to share? Photos? Videos? Promos?

I’m so excited about 2011. The year started great with Artistic people contacting me and wanting to collaborate on things. I’ve got some great interviews lined up and the show is taking a fantastic turn. It’s going to be more professional, colorful and full of fun. I’m hoping to finish my book and get in the media stream with guest spots etc. I’d also like to get into doing more workshops for Artful teens. At the time of this interview I’m working on the first show of 2011 and can’t wait till its done. So much fun.

Art is such a personal thing first. It comes from within and only you can visualize and create what you see in your dreams. It can be lonely but that’s ok. That’s what makes you unique. If you’re a lonely Artist reach for some stars, the kind that think like you do and love art just as much as you do.

Steph's websites are:

The one stop ALL DIVA SHOP is:

http://www.diviacity.com

http://www.stephjordanincolor.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/diviacity

Steph's Facebook Page is: Living In Color With Steph Jordan

http://www.youtube.com/diviacity

and her email is diviacity@diviacity.com

"I always love to hear from Artistic people." Steph Jordan

Thank you so much to Steph for being my first interview of the Artist's Spotlight Series! She NEVER disappoints in the Inspiration arena. Don't forget to find her online collection through her Etsy shop Steph Jordan Originals if you're lucky you'll scoop up her ROCKIN' ipad shoulder bag or that inspiration deck before I do!

You won't believe who's up next week! I'm so excited! *rubs hands together*

Now, gO Get YoUr cRaFt oN!!

xoxo

jul