Interview
Natalie Birch
Natalie Birch is a colourful creative with an honours degree in graphic design from Melbourne, Australia. Launching her career in the greeting card industry, she later founded an award-winning design business where she continues to help Australian businesses with bold and brave brands. Since becoming a mother, Natalie has taken the opportunity to reflect on her own childhood, revisiting her rich collection of children’s literature. This has led her to explore a new direction in illustration, mural painting, and storytelling. Her particular interest in anthropomorphic characters is influenced by the works of Walt Disney, Jim Henson, and Graeme Base. In early 2022 she launched her personal brand, where she is free to focus on her brightest and most playful work. Natalie is currently writing and illustrating her first children’s picture book, and supports her creativity with camping, trips to the theatre and, most recently, portrait painting.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was raised in very creative surroundings. My grandad plays several musical instruments, and my nana can paint, knit and cross-stitch. Dad played guitar and saxophone, and now in retirement he creates beautiful timber furniture and dabbles in photography. My extended family are also heavily involved with music, dancing and art, so I’m lucky to be exposed to many creative influences. I’ve been drawing ever since I could get my hands around a pencil and as a child I could easily waste hours with a tin of Derwents and a pile of computer paper. I secretly loved rainy days at school because we’d get to stay indoors and that was the perfect excuse to just sit and draw. I did a lot of dancing in my youth as well. I’m formally trained in classical ballet and love being on stage! So my artistic interests began early and I never really considered anything other than a creative career path. I chose to study graphic design as the commercial opportunities were great at the time and I was attracted to the idea of finding a job which allowed me to use both sides of my brain. Graphic design requires a great deal of balance between being creative and being methodical. I completed a 4-year bachelor degree with honours (the last year focusing on illustration) and soon landed my first full-time job with a greeting card company. It was my dream job! I got to design and illustrate the cards, write the verses inside the cards, and choose the various print finishes. I also got to expand my skills in marketing and website design which helped me later when I went on to start my own business in graphic design and branding.”
What inspires you?
“Anything bright and colourful will always grab my attention. I have forever been attracted to things that are different to the norm; whether it be striped flares instead of jeans, a crooked house made by hand, one fingernail painted in contrast to the rest, or a fence decorated with a wild mural . I like things that stand out and people with quirky personalities who can think outside the box and express an open mind. I am drawn to things (and people) that entice me to think, question or imagine, rather than have opinions or beliefs forced upon me. My dreams inspire me – they are a wild concoction of playfulness, warped humour, and twisted ideas. Sometimes, I wake up and spend the day slightly freaked out by my own brain. Other times I’m confused between my imagination and reality. People tell me I should make a book about my dreams. I might do that one day! Other things that inspire me are pretty sunsets, happy people, stories of triumph, my eclectic music playlist, and watching my daughter’s innocent and fresh creativity unfold.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“For a long time, I believed that I couldn’t be a ‘real artist’ because I’m not chasing particular themes or protesting about world affairs. Sure, I have my own opinions about things, but for the most part I’m good at seeing two sides to a story, and never felt I had a strong enough argument for anything to express through my art. But now, in my mid-40s, I understand that I don’t need to be upset with the world to create great art. I can just be. Be happy, be hopeful, be fun and funny, be myself. I’m a naturally happy person and I really enjoy creating characters who are bright, cheerful, and optimistic. I have long studied anthropomorphic animal characters and I get the most joy from drawing them with clothes and everyday human objects, sporting cheeky personalities and demonstrating unusual skills. My artwork is always full of colour and I tend to use solid, bold shapes because I’m sometimes a bit loud. I like my work to be happy and to make people smile. There’s more than enough mediocrity and misery in the world already! People can look at my work and revert to their playful, inquisitive and care-free youth, if only for a moment in time.”
How would you describe your work?
“Fun, playful, colourful and bold. Often childish, and usually cute. Sometimes funny! I try to invite people looking at my work to forget about their complicated adult lives for a while. I love illustrated books, street art, and clothing with big, bold patterns. My cushions are rainbow mandalas. I have lots of orange things! I find that the things I love and surround myself with, tend to come out in my own designs. My friends and clients would say that my work is happy and full of joy, and that’s enough for me!”
Which artists influence you most?
“I draw from a wide range of influences (famous painters, books, commercial illustrators, muralists, dancers, interesting people). In high school I discovered René Magritte and Salvador Dali, and I fell in love with surrealism. I loved the way I was challenged to explore beyond what others might perceive as normal. It was also a great comfort to me in my developing years that it was ok to have strange thoughts and feel different to societal trends and common opinions. At University I learnt a lot about Australian children’s authors and illustrators including May Gibbs, Roald Dahl, Graeme Base and Jeannie Baker. I studied children’s literature in my Honours year and still remember participating in a workshop with Bruce Whatley which had a profound impact on my attitude to my own work. Also, my university lecturer and mentor, Geoff Hocking, is an author/illustrator and gave me so much guidance and gentle pushing in my early days. Other world renowned artists who have influenced me include Jim Henson and Walt Disney. But, I am just as moved by an unknown artist doing caricatures at markets, or watching kids draw on the ground with chalk, as I am by famous creators.”
What is your creative process like?
“I’m a procrastinator and I find that starting something new is always my biggest challenge. I tend to use that time to let ideas swirl around in my head until I get a sense of something visually. I’ve been doing this long enough now to know that sometimes I just need to wait patiently until I can ‘see’ or ‘feel’ it. Explaining that one to waiting customers is hard! Once I feel ready, I start doodling with paper and pencil – the old fashioned way. Sometimes, I will just map out something loosely to get it down on paper; other times I will intricately draw the whole scene. I used to do a lot of coloured pencil art, paper collage and sometimes, acrylic paints. These days, with the nature of my commercial work, most of my art ends up in digital form. It’s quicker and easier to manipulate shapes and colours and means I can set up my work for professional printing or online output. Sometimes, I will just work on one project until it’s done and everything else has to wait! Especially if something has popped into my head and I just need to deal with it then and there. But for the most part, I have multiple projects on the go and will toggle between them.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I don’t think there’s one particular role that artists play. We are all creating for different reasons! Whether it be to bring awareness to a societal issue, a deep desire for outward self expression, to entertain in public spaces, or to celebrate life in this world (or something else), artists play a vast variety of roles. I admire creatives who really challenge the status quo and/or give a voice to the minority. I love artworks that ask a question and inspire unconventional thinking. For me, I simply think my role is to make people smile, laugh, and feel lighter about life. Essentially, to create happiness. I do know for sure, that without art, the world would be pretty grey! As we evolve through time, I think that artists will become even more valued. With generative AI lacking accuracy and uniqueness, people are already quick to criticise it and as a full time designer, I see a trend for customers to seek out and make a point of using original artists.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’m yet to hold my own exhibition and I’m working on that for 2027! But I have been to many fabulous exhibitions. Melbourne (where I live) is very art centric and I particularly love the ‘Winter Masterpieces’ held at the National Gallery of Victoria every year. My Dad and I have an annual culture day where we have lunch in the city and spend the day wandering the exhibition. Back in 2022 I was lucky enough to host a private event for my clients and suppliers at my local gallery. The winner and finalists of the Archibald prize, Australia’s most prestigious portrait award, were on display as part of a travelling exhibition. It was an absolute thrill to have my group walk through an exclusive tour of the exhibition, with commentary by the curator. Having the whole gallery to ourselves and being up close and personal with the artworks was an experience I’ll never forget. In Australia we also have the ‘Bald Archy Prize’ which is a parody of the Archibald Prize. It’s another portrait competition but in this one, the entries are funny and satirical portraits of well known Australians.”
Website: nataliebirch.com.au
Instagram: @nataliebirchstudio
Other links: facebook.com/nataliebirchstudio
