NEWS & WORKSHOPS

New From Victory Puzzles

Natalie’s painting “Rocket Ray Gun” is featured on a new puzzle from Victory Puzzles. This UK company has a hundred year history of making wooden puzzels with unique shapes, and this offering has more than 500 pieces.

Click here to check out this amazing puzzle!

Natalie’s painting, “Magic 8 Ball” was awarded Best In Show at the Richeson 75 International Small Works 2024 Competition.

Juror Craig Blietz said, “This painting does exactly what trompe l’oeil painting is intended to do, which is to fool the eye. Until I took a very close look at this piece, I had thought that it was framed in corrugated cardboard. Fooled me! Take note of the way the black ribbon is handled in paint inside the piece while as it travels outside the painting it becomes the real material. The way this painting was conceptualized and performed is stunning. “

Click here to see the exhibiton.

This painting is available through Meyer Gallery, to contact the gallery click here.

Natalie’s painting, The Transparent Heart, wins the Alamenra Art Prize Award for Oil at the Allied Artists of America 111th Juried Show. The exhibition is on view at the Butler Museum of American Art. Many thanks to the jurors and the Alamenara Art prize for this honor.

BAD ROMANCE At Meyer Gallery

A Solo Show of New Trompe L’Oeil Paintings from Natalie Featherston

Natalie’s 21st solo show with Meyer Gallery opens October 18th, and features a new body of work with the themes of love, longing and desire. Opening recpetion October 18th, 4-6pm on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, NM

Click the button below to view the show

Oil Painting Workshops 2024

Here’s what an artist who took one of Natalie’s recent workshops had to say about the experience:

“If you have the opportunity to take this workshop, DO IT!

I had gotten to the point of many obstacles in my work and had taken several classes but Natalie was the first one who could identify what I was doing wrong and painted well enough to explain what to do to get the results I want. Some people paint well but can’t explain. Other people teach well but don’t know how to paint with precision.

Natalie has both talents. Her classes are fantastic and one workshop took my work to a whole new level. Seriously. Do it. If you are a serious painter you won’t regret it.”

–Deb P., participant in Creating Textures in Oil Paint workshop at the Academy of Realist Art Boston, July 2024

Natalie will teach a three day workshop at historic Manor Mill in Monkton, Maryland this November. It’s a super fun basic skills workshop desgned for anyone who wants to polish their representatinal painting skills.

Click here for details

While in Maryland, Natalie will also offer a talk on Instagram for Artists both in person AND online. Join her for a discussion about the social media platform we love to hate, and how to make it work for you can connect your art with others.

Click here for information, and to register for either in person or online tickets

Oil Painting Workshops for 2025

COMING SOON: Natalie will teach in person workshops in Kimberly, Ohio at the Richeson School around the end of February and in Buffalo, NY at the end of March. She will also offer an online, recorded workshop in March through the Scottsdale Artists School. This summer may bring a return to the Academy of Realist Art in Boston for a (possible) tandem tag team workshop with artist extrodinare Julie Beck.

Details posted soon– sign up for her newsletter for early access and registration.

 

Natalie’s painting workshops explore foundational oil painting skills through the genre of trompe l’oeil, where paintings deceive the eye by making a flat surface appear three-dimensional and hyper-realistic. 

The formal elements of representational painting are addressed such as form, value, color theory, drawing and composition, and practical studio tips will also be included. Varnishing and making oil transfers, along with daily painting demos and powerpoint presentations are an important part of her curriculum. Natalie encourages students to create original compositions that inspire them, with a focus on what they’d like to explore one-on-one with her individual attention. 

Natalie shares and discusses her experiences over a 25 year career such as working with galleries, the art business, photographing and cataloging your work, and how to promote your art on social media. She hopes participants will build friendships and connections, and have a fun and meaningful art experience during her intensive week long workshops.

What you’ll learn:

  • Practical techniques such as how to transfer line drawings to panel in oil and graphite, and how to prepare smooth oil ground panels for painting. 
  • How to begin a painting with a straightforward approach to the initial block in.
  • How to read the values in your subject for tonal accuracy to create the most convincing illusion of light and form in your paintings.
  • How to see edges, shadows and color accurately, bringing visual power to your paintings.
  • Natalie’s simple approach to color and color mixing can be easily implemented into your painting style, bringing your paintings even greater depth.

Questions welcomed– please visit the contact page to send an email.