Natasha Marcano Art Interview | Respect The Artist
A Brooklyn-based artist from Trinidad and Tobago, who loves to create art. Natasha depicts images of black women in art giving emphasis on natural hair specifically afros and locs. Black women's natural hair is beautiful and needs to be represented. Currently, she creates artwork in the medium of pastels and charcoal.
In addition to original works and fine art prints, she also offers custom, commissioned artwork!
How did you get your name?
It's my maiden name because my Natasha Marcano Dillon just seemed to be too long.
How did you get into creating?
I studied Communication Design for my Bachelors and Art Education for my Masters in college. During that time my favorite classes were always the studio art courses. When I became a high school teacher in 2015, every summer I would work on drawings of different subjects and mediums, then in 2019 I was interested in portraitures and work on them consistently during my breaks. I choose a dry medium (charcoal) because it was easier to work with two small boys and it was also easier to move around with.
Where are you from?
I am a Brooklyn-based artist from Trinidad and Tobago.
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
Growing up in a Caribbean family, girls are really indoors. I did a lot of drawing since my favorite subject in school were art.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
During my college years, my favorite classes were always the studio art courses. When I became a high school teacher in 2015, every summer I would work on drawings of different subjects and mediums, then in 2019 I was interested in portraitures. I looked at l lot of video tutorials and applied the technique to my personal artwork during my breaks. I choose a dry medium (charcoal) because it was easier to work with two small boys and it was also easier to move around with.
What does your current setup look like?
The primary work space I do most of my artwork in is a corner space in my basement, but I also work at my kitchen counter or my living room because it has the best natural light. The basement has pros and cons. It does not offer natural light and it's away from everyone. The medium I started my portraits with was charcoal in 2019 and in 2022 I started my Afro Color Collection in pastels. I choose a dry medium (charcoal) because it was easier to work with two small boys and it was also easier to move around with.
Who inspires you?
I don't think I have a specific person that inspired me, it might be more of a style that inspires me. In college, Cubism inspired me, as a past graphic designer I also like the graphic look of designs with prominent lines or main edges. When I create a portrait in charcoal it is about getting the subject to come alive with shadows, mid-tones, and highlights. Making it almost pop out of the drawing area. I did foundation drawing in college and my teacher helped the students understand how to identify the contours of a face. A few years later, I applied it to my artwork but instead of lines, it was with tones.
What is your goal when you create?
When creating my end goal is to create a feeling when you look at the faces on the artwork. I want the viewer to relate to the feeling the artwork portrays or a memory. Most of my work revolves around black women and their hair. Black women's natural hair is beautiful and needs to be represented. Showing the diversity of natural hair and the beauty it helps portrays.
Why do you create?
It actually relaxes me. When I create I'm zoned into another place when it's just me and the subject. Portraits help me to tell a story. I'm not great with words but I enjoy creating.
How has choosing your creative path affected your life?
I officially started this career path in July 2019 and it has been exciting and challenging. I also work as a high school teacher, so I don't want to say either one is the primary objective. Teaching is my job, but art is my passion and the business that I'm growing.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?
As I have started this new journey, my obstacles would be a balance between this additional new chapter and family life.
I have to keep reminding myself that I and still in the beginning phase of my art business and I'm researching ways to grow financially.
A task will be to balance work/artist time and family time.
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?
My dream as an artist would be to be able to make a profit from my art and eventually have it as my main form of income.
The steps I'm taking will be to network with other artists, exhibit in group shows, show at art fairs, and build my email list.
The main idea is to get eyes on my work and build a collector list.
What would you tell someone else with a dream?
Don’t give up on your passion, keep pushing forward.
Tell us about your most recent release
My most recent collection is called Afro Color, most of the artwork is created using primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) in pastels. A few of the pieces use bold colors but will be the start of different series from the afro collection.
Check it out herehttp://www.instagram.com/natashamarcano.art
Connect
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/natashamarcano.art
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NatMarcano_Art
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/natasha.sketchpad
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