Featured Artist Natalie Toplass

Artist Natalie Toplass’ portfolio shares a profound exploration of life’s cycles and unconventional beauty in nature. See more by visiting her website.

 

 

Drawing has always been a huge part of my life. As a young child my scribbles were different than the other kids, so I was told! Now as an adult my style has expanded into this immersive, eclectic, natural life concept that is ever developing.

 

 

My time in education was always art led, and I eventually completed a post grad in Stage Set Design which blew me away. I still maintain that my love of painting on a large scale and my sense of drama especially in composition stems from my time in theatre.

 

 

Move forward about twenty years—it occurred to me that I could paint something for me, something that I’m interested in. This initially was flowers, on a very large scale! Something about the intense study of colour and form piqued my curiosity. I found further inspiration in the transience of nature and the ever-changing visual effects of this all around us.

 

 

It developed into an almost abstract process, an alternate way of exploring these thoughts and feelings. It was this unforeseen development of the practise that was interesting, and which expanded my awareness and my own preconceptions.

 

 

Observations of other daily flora and fauna while out walking with my little dog gave me the time and opportunity to appreciate seasonal changes. This opened a whole new area of inspiration, that of nature reclaiming and regrowing. Such a visually rich and diverse tableau, it appeals in so many ways.

 

 

For me there is a clear narrative of life cycles, of regrowth and balance. Even in the most carefully created composition, nature will tip the balance back in its favour and intrude on the manmade constraints of life.

 

 

Some of my work may feel as though it’s a little macabre. I see elements of whimsy and positivity, the odd or macabre is just another perspective on standards of beauty in nature. Like how looking at mismatched items can highlight unconventional beauty and give the viewer a different perspective of familiar things. A life cycle that is as inevitable as the passing of time.

 

 

All my paintings start with a flat base layer in acrylic, and oils are gradually built up in layers over time. I am often working on several different paintings at the same time. They are generally on a box canvas frame. I like the chunky solid feel to them, and I like them to have a physical presence.

 

 

When drawing out the painting, I often scale up or down my chosen subjects. I clarify the final composition at that point and then use a grid technique to help with accuracy. I then start to block in colours, blending and adjusting as it develops. Painting many thin layers of oil helps create a depth and luminosity that really brings out the subjects’ details.

 

 

Once I have it to a certain level, its time for the background, which is approached in the same way. My favourite part is right at the end, adding tiny details that just finish it. Once it’s completely dry, which can take several weeks, I will coat with a gloss varnish and it is ready to be hung.

 

Natalie Toplass invites you to follow on Instagram.

 

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