bio - 2023

Influenced by the outdoors from early childhood, Natalie spent much of her time fishing, hiking and camping with her father. Her dedication to the natural world includes living in some of nature's most beautiful places, such as the Rocky mountains (her birthplace), Kauai, Hawaii, the jungle of Nayarit, Mexico and Vancouver Island, British Columbia (traditional territories of the Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and various Coast Salish people). She comes from a mixed heritage of Pakistani, Mi'kmaq (Ktaqmkuk), and European, and considers herself deeply influenced by the parts of her ancestry that are connected to the natural world and the traditions that connect people to them.

Natalie began her career in the arts as a professional Flamenco dancer under the direction of internationally acclaimed performer Fiona Malena (2004-2008). After an injury forced her to pivot, she began experimenting with oil painting in abstraction (2009) - quickly realizing her love for the visual arts. She has since studied various methods including acrylic glazing with Abstract Artist Dianne Neuman and in 2015, she briefly studied drawing with artist Nicole Sleeth. In 2016, Natalie began working with epoxy resin, and a year later studied resin application with Artist Arthur Brothers (Charlotte, NC). 

During the summer, Natalie works out of her studio in Victoria BC, and in the Winter she works from her studio in Nayarit, Mexico. She has shown her work and has collectors throughout Canada, the UK, the United States and Mexico. Recent projects include 2 paintings commissioned by the former Head Scientist of the Canadian Space Agency, various abstract works for "The Agency" in Victoria, BC, and commissioned work for the Meade Design Group.

Natalie is grateful to live and work on unceded Coast Salish Territory, the land of the Lək̓ʷəŋən speaking People, in Victoria B.C, and the Wixárika (Huicholes) people’s of Nayarit, Mexico.

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