Blog: 2013

Winding Down: My Top Ten Projects of 2013

TopTenProjects

It has become a tradition for me to wind down the year on my blog by posting some Top Ten Lists before the year ends. It makes me go back and look at what I have done and accomplished and it also makes me dwell in memories. Too often we forget about the things we did and accomplished throughout the year- often just bashing ourselves for not fulfilling all the wonderful new year’s resolutions from last year.  Maybe this makes you wanna do it too – if so – share :)

This was one of the canvases I created for my first exhibition that happened this year – and it was the first of a couple canvases I sold. I miss this piece but I am happy it is in good hands. It shows a part of a street I lived for many years- the beautiful house now torn down and vanished.

This is the first canvas I created in our new home – an old pencil factory . I love the history of the place we moved to and this canvas makes me happy.

I love the depth of this canvas- which had a wonderful glass effect – and love the saying :) The fact that my Elephant Stencil for StencilGirl Products is on there too – is making me even more happy. Not in my possession anymore- it is also a sold treasure.

Another sold treasure…I realize it hurts a bit that my most fave canvases are actually gone…oh well- LOL. This shows the water tower in my old neighborhood in Hamburg. It is now a hotel and it was so awesome to stay in the top of the tower a couple weeks ago when we visited family and friends in Germany. ( we always wanted to do that- but you just do not stay in a hotel where you live ;) )

This  Canvas was different for me but I loved it so much. Unfortunately I couldn’t bring it over the pond in the move- it would have not survived -so I gave it to one of my best friends, knowing she loved it.

This 70x80cm (27.5×31.5 inches) hangs now in our new home in J.C. over the one side of the fireplace.It is a great color drop in our apartment.  It is the biggest surface I have worked on so far and I enjoyed the process so much. I also learned a lot about mixing colors.

Another Canvas that got sold – I love the colors in this and it has a lot of texture. It also has a lot of hidden meaning – and I am happy it hangs now in my old law office – it is a good piece for that office.

I did not do that many Scrapbooking Layouts in 2014 – mainly canvases followed by art journal pages. This layout of the very few I made, must be my fave as I love the texture and the grunginess and well…the goofy picture of Anna and me- LOL.

This artjournal page was so much fun to do and I love how everything comes together. I used my Crackle Stencil for StencilGirl Products with it and that was so cool.

Another art journal page – I love the color combination and I do heart this.

It is interesting for me to see that I apparently did mostly canvases and art journaling- while in 2012 I did all kinds of projects. I also find my voice coming out more in my work – and I think part of it has to do with the fact that I could use my own product designs in my work more often. Color wise I think, I got a bit more bold- I stepped away from my usual teal but red, yellow and orange are VERY prominent again. I would also say on top of the already textured work I loved and did- I added an effort on creating more layers and dimension. It was pretty cool to look through my work and then compare what I liked most from what I did 2013 – it is a good way to realize changes and patterns.

Which of my posted projects do you like the best?

Huge hugs

Nat

 

 

 

Comments (14)

  • Laura S.

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    Nat, You are the queen of layering, that’s for sure! They are all stunning but if I had to pick a fave…it would be the Hotel in Hamburg. Whenever I see a piece of your work, I am always in awe and left wondering, “How’d she do that?” Cheers to a creative 2014!

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  • Seth

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    What a sensational grouping of projects Nat. I really love them all. Your powerful use of layers and strong colors is so evident as is the depth that you are able to achieve in all your work. Amazing!!

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  • sarajansen

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    Hard to pick a favorite, but I adore the first two pieces with the buildings. They are so seamlessly a part of the whole, yet they are such a focal point. Just gores. And I love the saying, not my circus, not my monkeys! Great work this year.

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  • colleen

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    I love the first canvas the most! I really like the ones featuring buildings. You do great work!

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  • nurse-ratchet

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    I love all your amazing building canvasses … What a beautiful series and soooo inspiring! They would be incredible in one space….

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  • gunvor

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    Fabulous art work! I’ve enjoyed seeing them before in the blog but seeing them together now is reallyy thrilling. My fav is the wolf art journal page, with the Hamburg canvas as a close runner up.

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  • Elizabeth

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    Your projects are all fantastic, Nat! I like the top project the best. I am fascinated with the way your image of the building that no longer exists represents a memory.

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  • Sue Clarke

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    The very first one because I get lost in it!
    And the colors are different for you.
    I also love the wolf journal page.
    I am so proud of you for selling so many pieces this year Nat.
    It must be hard to part with them but nice to know that more folks are seeing them on a regular basis.

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  • Toni Hinchcliffe

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    Wow, Nathalie! Your artwork is amazing! I just now started following your blog–after signing up for CJS 2014. My favorite piece is the first one of your old house–it is just very soft and sort of dream-like. It LOOKS like a memory, if that makes sense. I also love the second one–I want to live in the Ticonderoga pencil factory too!!! The quote on the third one is fabulous and makes me laugh. Hugs!

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  • Jackie

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    Nat, your top 10 are all fantastic! If you are forcing me (grin) to pick a fav… it is the canvas hanging in your apartment over the fireplace! gorgeous! Happy New Year! xo

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  • Barb J.

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    I really like the homes and buildings you have done. It dawned on me a few weeks go when you moved to the US, that I had not been getting
    email updates and just got back to receiving them..
    I hope you are enjoying living in New York. I can imagine what a difference it is and especially having to leave Germany. The neighborhood street and the water tower are my favorites.
    Barb J.
    North Carolina

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  • kat82ren

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    it’s so difficult choose one, all are stunning!!!

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  • wilma

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    Love them all, but too choose would be the canvas from the old pencil factory you live in. My biggest dream to live in a old fabric in New York.With a open elevator and rough walls for street art. Althought I cant leave my beautiful Swiss mountain village and never would…but dreams are allowed . Merry Christmas

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  • Ruth L

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    Your top ten look great Nathalie, if I need to pick one, I love the one you made for your first exhibition this year. Thanks for sharing your works with us and wishing you a very creative 2014!

    Reply

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