Painting with Art by Natasha Kavenski

Have you ever seen textured painting and wondered what it is all about and wanted to know more about the artist behind the painting? Natasha of ArtByNatashaKavenski creates beautiful 3D, textured artwork where her stunning work leaps off the page and surrounds you with colors and the feel of being wherever the location of the painting is. She shares her inspiration and how she started textured painting as well as her recommendations and tips for new painters and entrepreneurs.

Painting with Art by Natasha Kavenski

By Michele of VAMICreations and Natasha of ArtByNatashaKavenski

What gave you the idea/inspiration to start ArtByNatashaKavenski/How did you get started in painting and textured painting?

I spent my childhood in my mom's art studio, where I discovered my passion for textured and colorful abstract art. In my mom's family, almost everyone was and is an artist (painters or musicians). It's just we all have a broad spectrum of skills, so to say, and most of us have a different profession (I was taught that if you got some gift, you'd better develop it, this is your mission in this life). For example, even though I went to an art school, I am an Economist, and I build a pretty good carrier back in Israel. After I've moved to Texas, I've decided to pursue my lifelong passion for art and shifted my focus to painting full-time. Midlife crisis? I never heard about it! ☺

What's your favorite type of commissioned painting to do? 

When the customer gives me full freedom: "Do your thing, just in such and such size."

What's your favorite type of painting when you just want to create something?

Heavy-textured expressionistic impasto on canvas, as 3D as possible. I like to build with paint. One could say – to sculpt. Yes, I prefer to sculpture with paint on the surface of a canvas. I want to get out of the canvas, but not tear myself away from it, going ultimately into the sculpture. The point is I'm researching the form. The material I use when creating the 3D object tells me what shape the artwork should take. For example, delicate weightless flower's petals are depicted in my artworks as voluminous and massive, rough, simplified. Such a painting communicates the fragility of life itself rather than describing the appearance of a particular flower. It is not the flower that is conceptualized, but what we like in its fragility.

How do you choose the colors and types of paints you work with? 

Colors. As every Israeli, I am practicing vibrant and full of energy style, so my paintings are brightly-hued. It's my way to celebrate this life, despite everything. We say, "You Shall Be Joyful." But every picture speaks for itself; mostly, I am rethinking expressionism and fauvism together by using cold and warm strident pure colors to express an emotional state. Sometimes I paint in an impressionistic manner or even combine them.

As to types of paint, naturally, I choose heavy-body paints, because I mostly do impastos.  I paint quickly; that's why I prefer acrylics over oils. But I've decided that in 2021 I'll start trying oils again.

How do you choose the pictures you create – ie is there something that you take inspiration from when you start a picture? 

Nature inspires me: all the places I've been to, all the places I miss. I have a special love for flowers, trees, tree trunks, specific, and sometimes mountains. But you know, the object itself does not matter; I am only interested in the texture, the object's form. I've been thinking about a reason for that. I am an energetic person that emigrated twice and experienced a lot. That's why I want to see and see only beauty in this world, diligently closing my eyes to everything else. Thus, I look at life quite polarly without details. This selectivity of attention, the way it inevitably distorts reality, sticking out, and thereby greatly exaggerating specific details, is the theme and idea of my work. I need to excite a person's consciousness and start a dialogue with her/him, showing the power of simplification by which I am trying to explain this world.

What would you tell a new painter for encouragement? 

Paint as if it's impossible to fail. 

Be courageous to share. 

Paint what you want, not what the market asks, only this way you'll find your niche. You can study technic, but the real art is to express yourself and your ideas, be honest. People would feel it and would tell you, "Your art is very much you!" as they say to me. This way, you'll find your audience, people who connect to your personality through your art, who share your ideas, who would want to see your painting every single day in their home or office, and even would willing to pay for it. 

It's impossible to be liked by everyone! Don't even try.

What is something you are passionate about, and why? 

Well, it's easy - painting ☺ Why? Painting, for me, is a kind of meditation. It cleans my mind, calms me down. It makes me happy, makes me live in the moment. More than that - it makes me me. I discovered painting is the only right way for me to live my life fully alive.

What is the most common question you get asked about your work? 

"Wow, how did you make it?" 

What is one thing that you wish people knew about being a painter? 

Most painters earned much more money when they "had a real job" or would've made more if they were "getting a real job." It's our conscious choice. 

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about? 

If you are passionate about what you do, your product or service, people will feel it; this will convert to sales.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur you wish someone had told you when you first started? 

As an economist, I knew how crucial is marketing, but I couldn't even imagine that it will take 80% of my time. 

How has COVID changed or impacted your vision/strategy? 

I needed to move 100% online, researching different platforms.

What is something that has helped you get through during this global pandemic?  Something that is encouraging or a positive thing for you? 

My online sales only increased during the pandemic. More than that, in Spring 2020, I had my first Art Show, and later in November 2020, I had my Solo Exhibition, both on-site, not virtual. I had no expectations at all, given the fact we all are dealing with COVID-19, and the gallery had zero (well, almost) visitors, but half of the paintings were sold. All this is very encouraging!

Fun question – if you could meet one person in history or present, who would it be and why? 

Ekhart Tolle. I would love to feel his presence. I have never talked to a person who is totally present in the moment. When I paint, I mostly listen to his lectures.

What is your dream for ArtByNatashaKavenski to be (where do you see ArtByNatashaKavenski in 5+ years)?

I want to paint, have exhibitions, meet other artists and art lovers regularly, have a steady income, and increasing profit. 

Thank you for joining us for this interview with Natasha of Art by Natasha Kavenski and thank you Natasha for doing the interview with us!!! I’d love to hear from you about what you’ve gotten from Natasha and showing your piece of art done by her! Please let me know by commenting below or sending me an email. I’d also love to hear from you about what types of resources you want more information on as well as Makers you would like to nominate for a Maker Feature/interview! Please email me or leave a comment on this article!  Looking forward to hearing from you and have a great day!