Nature is often a source of inspiration. She is the muse of singers, photographers, directors and, for many, including Natasha Durley, she is an inspiration for works of art. It started with scribbles in the margin while she was working in a call center. It then became much more. Natasha now works with brands all over the world. She receives orders for murals, household items, stationery, clothing, toys and even gaming apps.
Natasha Durley is an illustrator from Bournemouth, UK. She specializes in creating vivid and detailed illustrations. For this, she uses a combination of digital and traditional techniques. Natasha’s work is often inspired by her love of the outdoors and her passion for animals and nature.
For her work, she is inspired by the different textures, shapes and vibrant colors found in nature. She uses what she sees to create creative and colorful landscapes, which can be found on puzzles, cushions and books, but now also on Samsung’s The Frame.
Samsung Newsroom asked Natasha how she finds inspiration in nature and how her work translates to a digital screen like The Frame.
Natasha Durley
Career & work: from call center to art
V: Can you tell us regarding your career as an artist? How did you get interested in illustration?
After school I took a few years to travel and work. I ended up working in a call center, but practiced sketching between calls, while dreaming of a more creative career. Fortunately, I finally took the leap. I enrolled at Arts University Bournemouth to study illustration. The rest is history!
V: Your work is characterized by vivid colors and elements of nature, with an emphasis on textures. Where do you find the inspiration to create such unique illustrations?
I have always been fascinated by nature. Watching documentaries and reading articles or books regarding particular plants and animals is a constant source of inspiration. I even follow several biologists on social networks.
I am inspired by textures during my walks – I take pictures of bark, rust and all the surfaces that interest me. Working with color is very intuitive. I love collecting reference images for the color palette, but ultimately I mostly enjoy the meditative activity of playing with colors and seeing what looks good.
V: Does the digital display of works of art on a screen have advantages in terms of colors, textures…?
Although I create my textures and paper cut shapes by hand, my final illustrations are digital. The beauty of this medium is that viewers see all the colors and textures as I originally created them.
As Mad as a March Hare
Collaborate with the Art Store to expand the reach of illustrations
V: Why did you want to collaborate with the Art Store?
I immediately knew that I wanted to be part of the Art Store. My work is thus presented to a new audience and I think it’s great that the artwork can be seen in high resolution and on such a large scale on The Frame. My work contains a lot of detail and texture that can be lost when viewed on a smaller screen like a phone.
V: What influence has your collaboration with Samsung had on your career?
Working with Samsung was a dream come true! I opened my Sunny Beast online store around the same time, and it helped me a lot to find new customers. This is one of the reasons why I decided to free up time for more personal work: I really like being in contact with consumers. I often receive emails and private messages from people who show me my works on their The Frame TV!
Easter Stamps
V: Collaborating with the Art Store has allowed you to promote biodiversity with SUGi, a subject that fascinates you. How did you get there?
NAVA Contemporary[1] kindly asked me if I wanted to contribute to an Art Store collection they were preparing in collaboration with SUGi[2]. They were working on a selection of illustrations focused on biodiversity, and since my work is primarily focused on celebrating the natural world, I mightn’t refuse. For me, it is also essential to give something back to my sources of inspiration and I am always looking for new ways to give to conservation projects. Thanks to this collaboration, part of the proceeds will be directly allocated to the restoration of nature in urban areas. This project suited me perfectly!
V: Are there any artworks that stand out better on The Frame? What are your three favorite works among yours? And can you briefly explain why?
Gobi Desert : When we had just purchased our The Frame TV and were looking at what my artwork looked like, we were amazed at how vibrant it looked on screen. It’s hard to explain, but they look like they’re alive. You might almost walk there.
Gobi Desert
Volcanoes : This is one of my most popular prints and looks just fantastic on The Frame, if you like bright colors, shapes and textures.
Volcanoes
For The Love of Plants : For me, this illustration symbolizes the beginning of my entire career as an illustrator. I made it over ten years ago and it was my centerpiece at the time. It works well on The Frame because although from a distance it looks like a calming pastel landscape, you can see more detailed scenes and stories if you look a little closer.
For The Love of Plants
The Next Wave of Illustrated Art
V: Has the integration of technology and art changed the way people consume art? Are there any changes in the way your art is consumed?
People mainly discovered my work through the products on which my illustrations ended up – children’s books, puzzles, sheets, etc. Today, people are increasingly recognizing my work through social media and the online world, so there is an evolution.
V: What does the future of illustrated art look like as integration with technology continues to expand?
Traditionally, illustration was primarily regarding creating artwork for a commercial client. However, thanks to the increased reach of technology and new possibilities such as the Art Store, I see many new opportunities for illustrators: you can now work on commercial projects, but also on direct-to-consumer projects. .
To see more of Natasha Durley’s artwork, visit the Samsung Art Store in The Frame.
[1] NAVA Contemporary is an online art gallery with a curated selection of artwork by interesting artists and a consultancy office offering art consultancy services. NAVA Contemporary was founded in 2017 by Nicole Archibeque and Valerie Altahawi, two professionals with 30 years of experience in the art world, with the aim of creating an accessible environment that promotes discovery and dialogue around the contemporary art.
[2] SUGi is an international platform entirely dedicated to the creation of biodiversity, the restoration of ecosystems and the reconnection between people and nature through the creation of ultra-dense and biodiverse forests composed of native species, mainly in urban areas. .
