MUNTHE ART MONDAY: NATALIE SAVAGE

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

My name is Natalie, I’m 29 and a painter. I mainly paint still life works and tend to gravitate towards table scenes full of food and drinks in abundance!

Natalie is wearing MISTLETOE KNIT

Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

Mary Fedden, Florence Hutchings, Alice Neel, Shirley Villavicencio Pizango, Ana Leovy, Aubrey Levinthal… the list goes on and on. I’m inspired by all these women in endless ways. Particularly, the colours and the boldness of all their works stand out to me. I love the simplicity of Florence’s work - big vivid blocks of colour depicting everyday sceneries. The detail of Aubrey’s work is so intricate and delicate - it’s beautiful and almost narrative. Mary Fedden’s work has been a favourite since childhood. Instantly recognizable, her use of colour and negative space draws me in every time.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

I’ve been raised by an incredibly independent, strong mother. I was always taught that being a woman should never stop me being whatever I wanted to be or do whatever I wanted to do. The world is obviously an incredibly unfair place at the best of times, but I’ve been fortunate enough to be exactly where I want to be and doing what I want to do.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts?

To be honest I haven’t felt challenged as a woman in the arts. I love that this job gives me the freedom to do whatever I feel like. I work alone and cherish the space to be creative with the lack of distractions. I’m aware that if I have children one day then time will be a challenge for me as it is for many working women but right now, I feel very grateful to have so much flexibility.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

Whatever parts of it they enjoy the most! My paintings can be quite large with crowded tables and sprawling feasts, so I love hearing when people notice more and more each time they view it.

Natalie is wearing MOOLINU JACKET

@nataliesavageart
www.nataliesavage.com