Natasha Stanton’s art gives one an insight into her own version of the spirit world. She captures what she interprets the in-between world to be, and where her own spirit lies: a colorful world that holds faith that there is something else other than the seriousness of day-to-day life. From the faceless shaman figures, to the expressive birds and animals, to the vibrant humans bursting out in symbolic, ecstatic dance: Natasha paints what moves her own internal life.
The inspiration for her work comes from her connection to the nature and energy of her surroundings. Natasha draws not only from experiences living in a small community in the Sierra Nevadas, but also from the ancient spirit of the land.
“I have been taught in and have explored many artistic mediums over the years, but have found my voice with wood, acrylic paint, and ink. The wood and I have an understanding. Every piece of wood has a personality all its own, and I create around the knots and different grains it presents me”
The wood Natasha uses dictates what the finished product evolves into. She sees the basic subject form in the knots and the grain. It’s akin to a Rorschach inkblot test. Natasha stares at the wood, and suddenly see figures hidden there: faces, animals, and spirits. The two major depictions in her work are Animals and Shamans. The animals serve as a link to Spirit Guide totems, and the Shamans relate to Spiritual Guardians. Natasha says the figures may show themselves instantly, or she may need to revisit the piece months later. After she sets down the outline, she allows the piece of wood to guide her the rest of the way. As the painting progresses, she feels an outside force meet an inside force. The outcome is the finished product you see.
