Artist Interview: Nathalie Rattner

     

     Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing one of my favorite artists, Nathalie Rattner. She is a Canadian artist specializing in pin up illustrations and hyper realism. From galleries to commercial work to product art her career is truly inspiring. She is quickly becoming a household name in the world of pin ups and it's not hard to see why. I have always loved her work and wanted to find out more about her and her process.     

At what age did you fall in love with art? When did you know you wanted to be an artist? 

A: I think that I fell in love with art the minute I saw my first painting. My dad’s an artist, so our house was filled with art and we were always going to museums and art exhibitions. Once I discovered Degas and Lautrec, I was hooked. There was never a question in my mind that I would do anything other than art. The only thing that took some time was figuring out what kind of artist I wanted to be.

What are your holy grail art supplies?

A: For me, the magic is in the brushes. The holy grail brushes are Silver Monza brushes (round tip and angled) , faux squirrel long round tip brush and a set of tiny 5/0 -20/0 paintbrushes.

I am always fascinated by what artists listen to while creating. What do you listen to while you're creating? 

A: Sometimes I listen to podcasts like Nerdist with Chris Hardwick, but mostly I pop in my earplugs and listen to music. Sometimes I hit upon a small group of songs that put me in just the right headspace for what I’m working on, so I listen to those few songs for hours. Earplugs are a must while I’m working or I would dive everyone in ear shot of my studio crazy with the repeat of songs..lol I have a great love for the oldies, so I have a large collection of music from the 20’s to the 70’s. Some of my staples right now are Dinah Washington, George Harrison, Stephen Sondheim, Sammy Davis Jr, Jamie Cullum, Bruno Mars, Phoenix and Louis Armstrong

Who are your favorite artists? Who are some artists that have inspired you?

A: I absolutely love Toulouse-Lautrec, Gruau, Ramon Casas, Degas and vintage commercial illustrations. There are so many artists that inspire and delight me that I don’t think there’s enough time or room to list them all. I would have to say the artist that’s influenced me the most is my dad. I wouldn’t be the artist I am today without his support and guidance.

Pin up illustrations are a very specific niche. Do you have any words of advice for artists working in a specific niche? 

A: Becoming a working artist doesn’t happen overnight and there will be many highs and lows along the way. It’s important to find your own unique voice in this style, never stop experimenting and pushing your work to new levels.

If you weren't an artist what career would you choose?

A: Something artistic for sure, such as a cake decorator or special effects makeup artist.

What celebrity would you like to draw/paint that you haven't already?

A: Debi Mazar

If you had to choose one vintage pin up, who would be your favorite?

A: Jackie Miller.

What are you currently working on? Do you have any projects coming up?

A: The most recent project to launch was a collaboration I did with SurfTech. I created a vintage style pin-up illustration named “Heidi” for a limited edition paddle, which ended up looking gorgeous. I can’t wait to see people gliding through the water with one in their hands.

Right now, I’m working on a Bill Ward style series for the wonderful Onyx Love, who’s going to turn them into a book and calendar. It’s going to have that great tongue and cheek feel and captions that the great illustrations of the 50’s had, so you can imagine what fun it’s been working on each piece for the last year.

What is one thing about you that people would be surprised to learn about you?

A: I’m a hug Broadway nerd.

You have already accomplished so much in your career, what are some goals you have for the future?

A: I love being a part of a creative team and contributing to a large scale projects. I would love to create the illustration for the cover of a Broadway playbill, do some more tv/ move work and one day I would like to design for a ballet company much like Leon Bakst did for the The Ballets Russes

What is your favorite piece of art you've created?

A: It’s a toss-up between Lavender Seduction and a men’s fashion illustration I did of Gerold Brenner.

A huge thank you to Nathalie for taking the time answer my questions!

10 inspiring women you should be following

     In light of the Women's March this past weekend I thought I would put together a list of women who inspire me. Some of these women I have looked up to years, some are new. They are actresses, business owners, poets, artists, yogis and activists. Most importantly they are women who are inspiring other women with their platforms and their messages.

Oprah

A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on Nov 20, 2017 at 11:39am PST

     Even before her epic speech at the Golden Globes I loved Oprah. From the time I was a little girl watching the Oprah Winfrey Show she made me believe I could do anything. She has always represented so much more the success and money, she represents hope. There was no way I could make a list of inspiring women and not include her.

Adriene Mishler

A post shared by Adriene Mishler (@adrienelouise) on Jan 19, 2018 at 8:17pm PST

     Finding Adriene on YouTube literally changed my life. When I was looking into yoga I stumbled upon her channel and I've been following her ever since. Her videos are so much more than just yoga, they've forced me to sit in my feelings and evaluate how I'm feeling and why I feel that way. Finding her put me on a path for a healthy life, mentally, physically and spiritually.

Rupi Kaur

A post shared by rupi kaur (@rupikaur_) on Jan 18, 2018 at 6:07pm PST

     When I read Rupi Kaur's first book Milk and Honey I felt like someone finally got it. It was as if she was in my head writing all the things I didn't know how to explain. She has inspired me to start writing again and be completely unapologetic about how I feel.

Sophia Amoruso

A post shared by Sophia Amoruso (@sophiaamoruso) on Jan 20, 2018 at 12:50pm PST

     Sophia Amoruso is the embodiment of hard work pays off. She didn't come from money and she didn't go to college but she is a major success story. When I read her book #Girlboss  it made the idea of achieving success seem a little more realistic. I felt like I could relate to the way she started. She made me realize that I didn't need a fancy degree or a trust fund. I just need to work hard, show up and treat people with respect. It's such a simple thought but sometimes you just need to hear it from someone who has been where you are.

Muniba Mazari

A post shared by Muniba Mazari (@muniba.mazari) on Jan 21, 2018 at 4:38am PST

     Muniba Mazari's story is so inspiring. When an accident left her paralyzed and wheelchair bound she didn't give up. She changed her entire life and decided to stop wasting her life being unhappy. She is now a speaker, artist and humanitarian. She uses her story and platform to help others and inspire others to do more.

Danielle Brooks

A post shared by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Jan 12, 2018 at 8:33am PST

     You may know Danielle Brooks from OITNB. Aside from being an extremely talented actress, singer and performer she is an inspiring voice. She uses her platform and notoriety to speak about important social issues with so much passion and grace.

Dana Falsetti

A post shared by Dana Falsetti (@nolatrees) on Jan 17, 2018 at 9:55am PST

     When I started following Dana Falsetti I felt empowered. It was the first time I saw a woman with my body type that was completely unapologetic about being who she was. She made it ok for me to feel ok about my body. For the first time ever there was someone that looked like me living a life I had only dreamed about.

 Nayyirah Waheed

A post shared by @nayyirah.waheed on Jan 22, 2018 at 10:07am PST

     Nayyirah Waheed is the kind of writer that makes you feel all of the uncomfortable but necessary feelings. Her writing is raw and heavy but uplifting at the same time. Salt. is a book I think every woman needs to read. It changed how I look at everything, from the world around me to my opinion of my own body.

Ernestine Johnson

A post shared by #iACT 🎬 (@ernestine.johnson) on Jan 22, 2018 at 7:38am PST

     Ernestine Johnson is an actress and activist. She radiates confidence and power. Whether it's through her online platform, when she's speaking or on the front lines of protests she inspires me to do something. She makes me think about what I can be doing in my everyday life to make the world a better place for everyone.

Meghan Tonjes

A post shared by 🔸MEGHAN TONJES🔸 (@meghantonjes) on Jan 17, 2018 at 12:39pm PST

     Meghan Tonjes is a YouTube creator that has used her channel to talk about real issues. She talks about everything from politics to inequality to body shaming. Her channel is not just her talking to a camera, she has created a community of people and a conversation.

What I listen to while I’m creating

     Music has always been such a huge part of my creative process. I cannot draw, paint or write in silence. I can look at my pieces and tell you what bands and songs I was listening to while I was working on them.

     Sometimes the playlist is inspired by the pieces and sometimes the music inspires the art. I feel like I couldn’t create without a playlist of what that series of drawings sounds like. I know it sounds weird but I envision the two together. When I listen to music I don’t just listen to it, I feel it, it’s an experience. The same goes for my art, I experience my art.

     I’m fascinated by what other artists listen to while creating. I feel like the music you are drawn to and the music that sparks ideas says a lot about you. It lets you see a very vulnerable side to people that they may not talk about. Music is such an personal thing. So if you were ever curious about what I listen to while I’m drawing, here is my weird mash up of a playlist. It’s all over the place and at some points doesn’t really make sense but then again, that’s how my brain works.



                                             

     

     I don't think I ever stop looking for inspiration. I find being an artist you look at the world differently than other people. When I look at someones face I don't just see their face. I see light, shadows, textures and undertones. I notice the smallest details no one else takes the time to see. Because of this I'm always collecting inspiration. That being said, no one is immune to artist block.

     I go through periods of time where I'm so inspired I can't get pieces done fast enough. When this happens I try not to take these moments for granted and I write them down. That way I have a notebook filled with ideas.

     There are times when I look through those notebooks, I try to will myself to just start sketching and see what happens and I still just don't feel that spark. Instead of packing it up and waiting for inspiration to find me, I have a few ways to get myself motivated.

     Before I dive into this, I'm not above scrolling through Pinterest to find inspiration. I think technology has given artists so many resources and it's a great tool. That being said, there is something about books that can never be replaced by apps. I love looking through and buying coffee table books. There is always a stack on my table ready for whenever I need inspiration.

     Random fact about me, I love fairy tales. Not the animated kids versions, although I am a huge Disney fan. I'm talking about the old, creepy stories that were in no way meant for children. There has always been something about the dark magic in these stories that gets my wheels turning. I am guaranteed to come up with something after reading a few of these stories.

     Like I said before, I love buying coffee table books. I also love art books. There is something about looking at someone else's art that gives me so much inspiration. I have a pretty decent sized collection of art books but I only keep a few out at a time.

     Right now I have a Frida Kahlo book out on my table. To tell you the truth, I don't think she'll ever be switched out and if she is it will be for another Frida book. For me Frida isn't just one of my favorite artists, she's one of my favorite humans. I could go on and on and probably bore you with all the reasons why I love her. When I look at her art I don't just see self portraits and bright colors. I see sadness and courage. I can feel what she felt while painting them. When I look at her work it doesn't just inspire me to create art, it inspires me as a woman.

     

     Another random fact about me, I love ballerinas. From the time I was a little kid I've loved them. The way they move so gracefully has always made me want create something beautiful. Watching them dance, looking at photos or paintings of them brings me so much inspiration. If you are looking for ballerina paintings you can never go wrong with Degas. He was the master of capturing their movement with the most beautiful color pallets.

      When I talk about ballerinas I can't leave out this book. I have owned this book since I was in elementary school. Before that it was my moms. It's so old and beat up but it has always been my favorite book for drawing. This book is where I learned to draw figures. I would pull it out as a kid and just try to copy the figures from the pages. I still do this. When I have nothing to draw or I just cannot think of something I look to this book. Sketching ballerinas from this book takes me back to when I started and I was so excited to learn.

     I love the vintage feel of this book. From the head shots of the ballerinas featured to the ads for the ballet. These types of books are the types of books I look for when I go to second hand book stores. Books like these can never be replaced with technology for me. There's something about drawing from a book reference that takes me back to my roots and reminds me why I started.

     I love hearing about what inspires other artists. Let me know what inspires you!

How I make overnight oats

     We are in that time of year when everyone is trying to get healthier. We all follow a pattern of getting super inspired, looking up recipes and making promises that you are going to eat healthy every day from that day forward. The problem is, at least for me, I become overwhelmed and give up.

     When it comes to eating healthy some recipes or meal planning seem so unattainable. Now, I am not an expert. I am still trying to figure all of this out and I've fallen off track many times. I want to start adding realistic recipes and meal planning that I actually eat. Meals that are easy and affordable so that eating healthy doesn't feel like a giant undertaking.

     Overnight oats in my opinion are the easiest place to start when it comes to meal prep. It is fast, easy and cheap. Plus, it is a great base to add anything you want or anything you have. I always start with a drizzle of honey for sweetness. After that it's really what I have. I've added nuts, fruit, coconut, peanut butter or even dark chocolate. The possibilities are endless!

     I like making enough for two days when I make these. I've seen other recipes say they make them for four days at a time. I've tried that, I'm just not a fan of the texture after day two. I put the mixture in the fridge in a larger container, scoop out what I need in the morning and add toppings! I like mine cold but you can absolutely heat them.

     I don't even know if this would qualify as a recipe, as it's only two ingredients but here it is!

1 cup oats

1 cup almond milk (I like a little extra milk)

     Let me know if you make these and what combinations of toppings you use!

   

Let's talk about Logan Paul.

     For those of you who haven't heard about this situation here's a very brief overview. This week Youtuber Logan Paul uploaded a video of himself in Aokigahara Forest (suicide forest). The video shows a partially blurred body of a suicide victim while Paul and his friends laughed and made jokes about dead bodies. He has since removed the video and released an apology.

    I wasn't going to talk about this situation but the more I'm seeing this story I feel like I need to address it. I didn't want to talk about Logan Paul and his disgusting video because I didn't want to give it any more momentum. I'm aware that I'm not a huge presence online but the more everyone talks about him the more relevant he becomes, whether it's negative attention or not. All that aside, this needs to be addressed.

     If you have read anything I've written you probably already know how I feel about this situation. As someone who has struggled with mental illness, I'm disgusted by the entire thing. From the actual filming, to the decision to upload it and then the "apology". I am angry and I could go on a rant about how he's a terrible person but what does that solve? If we all bash him and don't actually talk about why this is so disturbing in a few weeks this will be forgotten and nothing will be accomplished.

      The glamorizing of suicide forest has been going on for years. I don't know if it's because it's in Japan and we think the neon colored culture we see in photos makes suicide forest cool or we've just become desensitized. Either way the people that die there are still people. People struggling with mental illness. Take away all the stories and legends and look at this place for what it is. It is a place that humans, people just like you and me go to end their lives. The popularity of suicide forest turns these people into numbers. They are no longer people with families and friends, they are now a part of this fantasy that we glorify. Japan and suicide have been talked about in the same sentence for so long that we forget that they are individual people and their stories matter. Suicide forest has become a tourist attraction, as if it isn't real, like it's just another crazy thing to go visit in Japan.

     Videos like this make a joke out of mental illness and suicide. This mans story now becomes part of click bait for views. His story of losing his battle is completely lost for internet fame. He becomes a prop, because again they're in Japan in the famous suicide forest. His body is no longer a dead body, it's part of the tourist experience.

     I think there is a point in the careers of "internet stars" when they become detached from human connection. They forget that real people are watching their videos and they have a huge responsibility. Especially with channels like Pauls that are made up mostly of children. We are in the middle of an mental illness epidemic, more specifically with  juvenile suicide. So now you have made those children who are already having issues and that look up to you feel worse about themselves.

     In his apology he talks about wanting to start a healthy conversation about mental health. If that was his intention he would not have been making jokes and laughing. I could have understood if he went to suicide forest and was moved by it and wanted to open up a conversation about mental health and self harm. That’s not what is happening here. He wasn’t sorry when he filmed it, he wasn’t sorry when he uploaded it and honestly his apology felt more like a “sorry you feel that way” kind of response. He realized that he had to say something and spin the situation. There are so many ways to approach the subject of mental health and this is not one.

     I hope that if there is a shred of a silver lining in this situation it is that this opens up a real conversation about mental health. Maybe the more conversations this sparks, the more people will open up about their own issues. I worry about the people that this sends backwards in their treatment and journeys. I will be completely honest, even as someone who has owned their issues, this had an effect on me personally. I have almost been that man many times and I have lost too many to suicide. It shouldn’t be taken lightly and it shouldn’t be made into a joke.

     If you are reading this and you are having issues with your mental health talk to someone. Do not let stunts like this make you feel bad about yourself or deter you from getting help. There is no shame in struggling with your mental health. You are not alone.

Suicide hotline

1-800-273-8255

Or text CONNECT to 741741

10 artists you should be following

     I like most people draw inspiration from other artists and creators. There is something about watching someone else work that sparks something. Instagram is a great way to find and follow artists but sometimes it can be overwhelming and hard to find artists you love. That's where I come in to save the day. Here is a list of artists I think everyone who loves art should be following.

Lena Danya

A post shared by Lena Danya 🌸 (@lenadanya) on Oct 30, 2017 at 10:03am PDT

      If you follow anything about painting online you've probably seen Lena Danyas work. She is a painter, working mostly with oils. Her work is so feminine and soft. She has a way of painting woman and natural elements like no one else. She also has a Youtube channel that I highly suggest if you are looking for educational videos on painting or if you just love watching other people paint like I do.


Henrik Aa. Uldalen

A post shared by Henrik Aa. Uldalen (@henrikaau) on Nov 28, 2017 at 9:57am PST

     Henrik Aa. Uldalen is one of my favorite artists. The combination of heavy pallet knife work and soft paint strokes are so dreamy and whimsical. Sometimes I will go to his instagram just to look through his feed to feel inspired.


Lee Price

A post shared by lee price (@leepricestudio) on Nov 15, 2017 at 6:29am PST

     First of all, that is not a photo. That is a painting. Lee Price is probably my favorite when it comes to photo realism and detail. The first time I saw her work I thought they were photographs. When I learned they were oil paintings I fell in love. Everything she does is so intricate and precise.


Etienne Garceau 

A post shared by Etienne Garceau (@etiennegarceau) on Dec 7, 2017 at 1:30pm PST

     Etienne Garceau is a new find for me. I started following him only about a month ago but he quickly became a favorite. His strategic use of color when working with dark subject matter is what caught my eye. Aside from being obviously talented his page is great because he lets you see the process of each painting, whether it's progress photos or live painting.


Happy D.

A post shared by Happy D. (@happydartist) on Nov 28, 2017 at 1:12pm PST

     Happy D. is the pop of color in my feed. I tend to follow a lot of artists that work in dark colors or subjects so sometimes it's nice to have some color to break that up. Everything she does feels like a dream, a neon dream. She has nailed using so much color but not making it feel like it's too much. She also has a Youtube channel that I highly suggest.


Michelle Avery Konczyk

A post shared by Michelle Avery Konczyk 👁 (@velvetmush) on Dec 17, 2017 at 8:06pm PST

      Michelle Avery Konczyk is probably the most unique of all of my favorites. She does things with watercolor that I didn't think were possible. Her work is light and airy because it is watercolor but it's also dark and rich like an oil painting.


Daire Lynch

A post shared by daire lynch (@dairelynch) on Dec 7, 2017 at 6:56pm PST

     Daire Lynch is another new find for me. I found his instagram a few weeks ago and instantly fell in love. His work is so reminiscent of classic oil paintings but with a modern twist. The way he captures light and the human form is like no one else I've seen.


Nathalie Rattner

A post shared by Nathalie Rattner (@nathalie_rattner) on Dec 24, 2017 at 11:37am PST

     I've been following Nathalie Rattners work for a long time. Her work reminds me of the Vargas girls but with a modern spin. All of her work is so girly and fun. If you like pin up art like me, you will love her.


Kit King

A post shared by k i t k i n g (@kit_king) on Nov 8, 2017 at 9:48am PST

     Kit King is a huge inspiration to me. Her work is shocking in all the best ways. She pushes the limits of gender, emotion and censorship and does it with flawless technique. Everyone needs to be following her.


 Tanya Shatseva

A post shared by Art of Tanya Shatseva (@tanyashatseva) on Nov 30, 2017 at 10:08am PST

     Tanya Shatseva's is a favorite for her use of color. Her work pops but is still dimensional and rich. She also has a Youtube channel that is like a piece of art in itself.