Learning to create freely is something abstract and expressionist artist Natasha Miles is still working to embrace. This piece, Growth Amidst Chaos, stems from her journey of letting her guard down and going wherever the brush leads her. Natasha’s artistic foundation was established early on. She attended art-based middle and high schools and went on to study it in college, ultimately leading her to a career in art, education and mentorship.
From teaching art workshops for children and adults to participating in artist residencies and leading the Visual Arts Department at the CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Natasha’s busy life often leaves little room for her own creative spirit. “I’m not in the studio creating as much as I’d like to,” she said. “I’ve been making a really conscious effort to change that because it brings me joy.” Years ago, after studying abroad in Italy, Natasha realized how fruitful a change of environment can be for her creativity. Europe shifted her perspective on the types of materials she used and the subject matter she was engaging with. For this piece, Natasha’s efforts landed her in the Poconos where her vacation spot overlooked a gorgeous manmade dam.
“It started as a ball of chaos,” she said when explaining how Growth Amidst Chaos was born. The sound and look of the dam, as well as the brisk temperature outside, were all muses for Natasha, who says she lets the environment guide her. Always choosing her colors first, Natasha used watercolors and gouache to depict masses of swirls and movement. Like a dam, Growth Amidst Chaos is alive and always moving. Working to create freely without the limitations of an assignment, Natasha said, “I felt relief while painting this because I was getting that energy out and was able to translate that throughout the entire canvas.” Growth Amidst Chaos is a reflection of freedom and returning to one’s own creativity.
As a teacher, one thing Natasha always says to her students is “Perfectionism is overrated. It’s important to recognize that in art, exploration is key. Once you’ve built the foundation of technique, you can put anything and everything into your work.”