Meet Natalia Maria Cole | Fine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalia Maria Cole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In a creative career, many of the decisions we make are risky. As a fine artist, there aren’t always a plethora of opportunities that we are suited for. There is a lot of rejection that comes with this career path that we have to be able to get past. Once you find your audience and create a community of artists to bounce off of, these risks become more rewarding and worth it. Especially as an emerging artist, each decision you make feels risky. Everything is uncertain, and you never know for sure what each experience will bring. One thing I do know is that putting yourself out there might feel risky, but it is the best thing you can do as a fine artist! Find those open calls you are passionate about, sign up for that art fair you feel nervous about, and keep posting on social media even if no one is watching. For me, spending so much time and money on a degree in the arts felt incredibly risky, but I knew that it would help me. Now, I have an amazing group of artists I learned and grew with, who I can always talk to if I need it. It brought me to Atlanta, where I feel I can grow to be successful. Art is something I am incredibly passionate about, which is what motivates me to take those risks!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create figurative acrylic and oil paintings that explore the experiences of young women, drawing inspiration from my own life and the women around me. Most of my paintings revolve around a self-inspired character and her feelings of sadness, protectiveness, love, insecurity, and so on. Throughout all of my paintings, I add similar objects and symbolism such as ribbons, flowers, cats, windows, and an illustrative storybook style. I’d describe the feeling of my paintings as melancholic, mundane, contemplative, with a feminine nature. Many of my paintings include flowers, trees, and animals, prominent parts of my memories from my childhood. Growing up, I was surrounded by strong female figures I look up to. I absolutely love the idea of other women understanding and seeing their own experiences in my paintings! I definitely feel proud of the aesthetic I am creating lately and excited to continue growing the identity part of my brand style.

I am still just beginning my artistic journey, but I would not have developed my passion and style without having an education-based setting to dive into my professional practice. Having the organization and rigorous schedule of daily classes and assignments, my work ethic and passion for the creative industry grew. While I wouldn’t say it has been easy, I would say that art and the discipline involved feel natural for me. As I get deeper into my practice, each new experience becomes more rewarding, and my excitement for new artistic endeavors comes easily. Half the job is creating, but the other half is marketing, posting, submitting to opportunities, and maintaining that business mindset. Switching between the two is an adjustment, but I have learned that it is absolutely necessary as an emerging artist. There are so many avenues I want to explore, like starting my own creative business, developing a brand identity, art direction, and the more I think about it, the more excited I get. As an emerging artist, I still have a lot to do, but so far I have been enjoying each part of building up my resume and gaining experience!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

As someone who loves nature, a variety of food choices, and art, the Atlanta area is the best place to be! If my friends want to stay in the city, I take them to shop and eat at Ponce City Market, then walk the Beltline to Piedmont Park. There are always art fairs, farmers markets, or festivals at the park, and I love being able to easily walk to other parts of the city from there. If there is an exhibition I am looking forward to, I would for sure bring them to the High Museum of Art or Atlanta Contemporary! Along Buford Highway, you can find some great Vietnamese and Mexican food. Lee’s Bakery is my absolute favorite place for pho and bánh mì! I also bring anyone who visits Atlanta to Hmart in Doraville to stock up on Korean snacks and eat lunch at the food court. While in the area, we always stop at my favorite Korean bakery, White Windmill, for some fresh fish-shaped bread and tons of sweet treats.

I live in Decatur, where we can have a slower, more relaxing day. I always bring our visitors for a nice brunch at Sun in My Belly or a nature walk at South Peachtree Creek Trail. Around Decatur Square, there are a few art stores like HomeGrown Decatur with creations by local artists and souvenirs. I always love finishing the night at Twain’s for delicious food and great beer! Another thing I love about Atlanta is how engulfed in nature it is, both inside and outside the city. As someone originally from southern Florida, being able to witness the different seasons has made me appreciate the gorgeous autumn leaves, spring flowers, and lush greenery of summer. I always recommend friends to come in both the fall and spring, especially to experience the changing seasons!

With the major airport nearby, we always have visitors come to experience Atlanta. I love how you can do anything here, like go to any concert, taste any food, attend amazing colleges, and meet people from everywhere while still having a balance of big city life and a slower, nature-filled life. Living here has opened me up to so many new experiences, and I am happy to share them with my friends and family when they visit!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to my amazing community of artists! Throughout my time at SCAD, the most rewarding part was meeting so many great artists, many of whom became great friends of mine. Having an artist community is so essential when pursuing a creative career. We all know each other’s concepts and creative processes so well, and always have ideas to bounce back and forth. We are always sending each other art opportunities, helping with resumes, websites, or artist recommendations. Meeting them has shown me how powerful art can be to connect people, and I will forever be grateful for the learning moments we have experienced together!

Website: https://www.nataliamariacole.com/

Instagram: nataliamariacole