Meet Natacha Gutierrez | Multimedia Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natacha Gutierrez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natacha, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from Brooklyn, NY and I was raised by a village. I come from a huge family, I have over 100 immediate cousins and family was always around growing up. I’ve had a strong support system and always felt motivated to explore a new hobby and give it all of my energy. I can be so passionate and no one could stop me.

I am fortunate to have parents that have always believed in me and allowed me to try so many creative outlets growing up like dance classes, karate, softball, music and so much more with out feeling like I let someone down because I couldn’t stick to one thing. The truth is I wanted to try everything. I was given space to explore and figure out what makes me happy.

My upbringing has made me confident and adaptable not only as an artist but in general because I’m not afraid of change or trying something different. I do things because it makes me happy and not because it’s what’s expected from me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I initially started painting portraits with acrylic paint back in 2018. I felt so much anger due to my circumstances at the time and instead of having tantrums I thought let me paint before I get hurt or hurt someone. Somethings I would paint or draw were pretty morbid and as I went through my healing stages my art started to change too. I became softer and wanted to create things that invoked joy. That’s were I transitioned to water coloring.

Fast forward to 2020 state of emergency lockdown, so many people were having cabin fever and I didn’t want to succumb to it, I desperately wanted to release stress but I was no longer inspired to paint.
Instagram ads were doing their thing okay! I kept seeing sewing and embroidery classes pop up, probably because I saved some art work I came across. I said, “you know what f**k it!” And I bought my first kit. It came with a printed design on fabric. I taught my self some simple stitches, and that was a wrap for me, I was hooked. I loved it so much. I signed up for some classes and began creating portraits of pets and landscapes.

I never thought creating these pieces would essentially become a business, but once I started sharing with people I was blown away by the support I got from my community. I started getting requests for commissions and I had a realization that although I did this to bring me peace, I have a gift of immortalizing a memory that can create joy and healing to others. That’s when I created Casa De Tacha Embroidery.

I’ve had a lot of trials and errors in this 2 year journey so far. I’ve warped fabric, pricked fingers (some pieces have literal blood worked into it), had to do a lot of color correction where I’ve had to cut 4 hrs worth of stitches off and start all over. This art form gave me the opportunity to be patient. It’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve had. Especially picking it up during a pandemic where patience was the key to my sanity.

I want people to know that Casa de Tacha is a home for creative healing. Wether it’s stitching through your emotions or creating a meal to share with family. I am the key to the evolution of those around me and so are you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a foodie and I love going on adventures, so it’s tough to narrow it down.

First we would get breakfast at Cafe Madeline in Ditmas park. They have an array of teas and lattes to pair with your meal. I love their salmon avocado toast with a lavender latte or maybe a rose petal latte with oat milk yum. Definitely gotta start there, then head over to the Brooklyn Promenade, you know they have to go for a walk and get the iconic skyline view. That walk will transition into going to Dumbo where we get some ice cream from Ample hills creamery. See the day time is for relaxation and taking in views but at night, we are heading to Area 53 baby. You’re going to let your child self shine. I’m talking laser tag, roller skating, slides, rock climbing and so much more. After working up an appetite, we are getting Ramen. My favorite is from Naruto Ramen, they have this tasty cilantro bomb shrimp ramen, ugh my mouth is watering thinking about it.

Next day we definitely have to visit El Museo del barrio take in some art and get some treats to eat like Alcapurrias (stuffed yuca fritters) and empanadas. Also side note if you’re my friend, I know you love Harry Potter, it’s principle, so don’t be a muggle. We are going to the Harry Potter store and getting some butter beer with toffee cream! I have a lot of spots to explore but when my friends come over they know they’re getting the Casa de Tacha experience, I’d have a home cooked meal waiting and stories to tell.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Mom and Dad deserve recognition. They have always been supportive of my goals and dreams even if they don’t always see the vision at first, they trust me and know that I know what’s best for me. In the times I wanted to give up and throw in the towel my mom would come in and give me pep talks and remind me of the powerhouse that I am. I owe a lot of my success to my mom and dad, they laid the foundation for me.

Instagram: @tacha.guts