Interview
Natalie Parker
Natalie Parker is a 19 year old self-taught freelance graphic designer, from Winder, Georgia, USA.
She lives with severe chronic migraines, POTS, EDS, PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety, with her longest migraine lasting 3 years. Natalie began her schooling career in public school, until halfway through 7th grade. Then, she switched to homeschooling and graduated in 2020.
Since then, Natalie has been in multiple international art competitions. She also started helping local businesses with redesigning their brands. She enjoys volunteer work, helping at several conventions and animal shelters.
Due to her diagnosis, she is fortunate to have a service dog, and 7 other animals. With a will to help others and herself, Natalie has overcome many challenges and studied to become a certified medical scribe, as well as being certified in other medical areas.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born and raised in a small town in Georgia. I would say my childhood ended in the 5th grade. I’ve been struggling with severe chronic migraines along with other medical problems. I was also not in the greatest middle school.
The saving grace there was my art class, and teacher. There I was introduced to proportions, color theory, and Vincent Van Gogh. My art teacher, Samantha George, was obsessed with Doctor Who. So, one day she showed us the episode where The Doctor visited Van Gogh. I was completely moved by the episode and the artist. I studied Van Gogh’s work and life by reading 3 biographies and other art books. I was also lucky enough to go to his virtual gallery experience in Atlanta.
That was when I started drawing. I began by making fan art of my favorite shows, books, and movies. I remember staying up really late with a dim lamp at my side, drawing with a school pencil and eraser. I loved to study graphic novels, comics, manga, and game art books. I remember being obsessed with my grandfather’s Escher art book. It was huge and I literally would imagine myself in the pieces: where I would walk, what kind of life I would live. I would lose myself in his world. It was incredibly inspiring.
I wanted the power of creating worlds open to anyone. Fast forward a few years, and I started getting into graphic design. I’ve been a graphic designer for almost 4 years now.”
What inspires you?
“Individual stories. One of the things I really try hard not to do, is never to judge people. You never know what is going on with someone. What they have gone through, and what they have suffered. So many stories overlap and play out. I just try to learn, empathize, understand, and subjectively record that.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I like to pursue anything - I have done realism, impressionism, abstract, surrealism, pop art, calligraphy, logo design, etc. I have explored mediums like: ink, charcoal, acrylic, graphite, watercolor, etc. I can’t say I have a specific message in all of my pieces. If had to have one, it would be ‘don’t be afraid to feel what you feel’.”
How would you describe your work?
“I’ve always thought that an artist’s style is like a fingerprint of their imagination. So, these are my fingerprints. I think that’s why my art style has never been consistent. It just changes fingers. It doesn’t help self promotion, but I can’t help it. When I make myself stick to one style just so the chances of being discovered are slightly better, I feel guilty and ashamed of myself. I actually get physically nauseous.”
“I see a blank canvas as a mirror for my emotions. So, I wake up every morning and look in the mirror. Then, I pour myself onto the canvas. Sometimes I’m even afraid to look in the mirror. I’m pretty sure of what I’ll see, but I don’t know if I want to. Almost like Schrödinger’s cat. I don’t want to open the box.”.
Which artists influence you most?
“Vincent Van Gogh, Qing Han, Loish, Tom Booth, Miyazaki Hayao, Ken Sugimori, Picasso, Gustavo Santaolalla, John Lasseter.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I feel like an artist could be like someone’s spiritual soul mate. Someone they really connect with through creativity. They could be on the other side of the world, not even knowing how they are affecting someone else. The artist’s creation can be like the flap of a butterflies wings that causes a tsunami of inspiration. I can see art being recognized more as a necessity in the future. I also see more and more outlets for artists to express themselves. Possibly, an even easier way for artists to collect commissions that can actually be lived on.”
Instagram: @nightblaze16
