works 2001 - 2020
About the artist
Natalie Hinshaw Bartholet's long and adventurous life has been enriched by a wide variety of experiences. She grew up on a farm in CT near the shore, then lived in Japan, San Francisco, El Salvador, Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She has been a children's librarian and storyteller, started a mobile bookmobile to bring books to children in neighboring communities, raised a family in various countries and has run a Hotel in Mexico.
She now splits her time between Mexico and CT.
This line, from a song Natalie wrote for the children, captures the spirit she expresses in her art.
“ I am Free – I am me- I'm Happy,
Happy to be Free to be Me”
Mexico drew her back in 2001. “After rich creative experiences in travel and work, I suddenly had the urge to draw!” In 2002 at the age of 64 Natalie began to study drawing and painting with Margaret Dawit and Nacho Maldonado. She now works with Ernesto de La Pena Folch in Mexico and Pam Gordinier in CT. She has had a number of One-Man shows as well as participating in group shows.
My creative process: a varied palette of exploration.
After experiencing a Safari in Kenya I was compelled to create a visual documentation of the animals and their habitat. A representative approach brought me closer to my subject. I discovered one of the gazelles is missing half a leg. As I painted the leopard sitting high up on a rock early one morning he became my “quiet observer” a name that was given to me by my teacher in high school. The beauty is that one thing leads to another and I now am exploring more playful, naive and primitive animals reminiscent of cave paintings.
Creating art is like a treasure hunt. It delves into the spirit of the subject, brings the ordinary to life and deepens my understanding. The challenge of abstracts allowed me to let go and explore the unknown, play with color, line and texture and experiment with space and design. It culminated in the creation of a composition of 99 moments. The human figure provided another experience with line, shape and movement and revealed that the negative spaces become interesting figures themselves.
I now paint mostly with acrylics and have recently taken up mono printing.
My art reflects my nature, which has always been to explore and discover new venues in which to express myself.
Now you may explore those venues on this site – and be enchanted and inspired by the fine art offered by Natalie Hinshaw Bartholet.